Imma have to let this rest for a bit. Gave a few listens and was honestly disappointed. A lot of the songs felt like they started slowish and kinda aimless and then picked up in the second half, leaving me wishing they had started with the second half and then developed into something even crazier (a la typical Armed fashion). FKA World, Clone, Everything's Glitter, and Public Grieving were standouts though. That said, I need some space from this before trying to give it a chance to grow more.
I already love this record and I feel like it’s just going to keep growing for me. Everything’s Glitter has become one of my all time favorites. Did not have “The Armed make a Bon Iver song” on my bingo card. Feels like I’m hearing Julien Baker on In Heaven, as well. The fucking drumming across the record is stellar and the changes gave me chills several times. It’s all so good.
I go back and forth on what I think the best song is here but it’s mostly Modern Vanity or Everything’s Glitter
If you want to see Kenny Szymanski lay down the bass solo in Public Grieving and a list of personnel.
I’m really blown away by this. I only listened to their last one and liked not loved it, but this is next level for me. I feel like this could even have mainstream appeal a la turnstile but they’d need a different type of marketing to get them there. I love their mystery and obfuscation but am not sure if that will propel them that much bigger, if that’s where they want to go
I feel like I saw JMJ say when Liar 2 came out that he and Mark Guiliana are the rhythm section on that song. No telling what else.
Album has been undeniably good but I keep finding myself thinking it’s not really for me and then something extremely cool happens lol