I would have preferred to listen to this for the first time on vinyl. But considering that is still another month out... Will likely dive into this on my commute home today.
After my first listen, it feels like there's so much left to unpack. I'm confident this will be my favorite since M/m if not Beggars. Unitive felt like one long exhale, similar to the end of Beyond the Pines. I thought the piano texturing was gorgeous.
I read speculation that Unitive/East is only half a song and can be layered over Unitive/West to make a complete song.
2 listens in the books, this is so good. Not surpassing beggars for me but right up there in the top tier.
So, to play the speculation game, Horizons / East ===> Frontiers / West "Across a new frontier A new horizon with each eager step I take"
Won't say this but I'm not far off. The album is so refreshing. The production is aggressive with great low end. It's experimental. It's diverse. It's just good. I'm really happy with it and haven't even digested the details or the lyrics.
Unitive/East Is there a me without you The you that breathes the sum Again, the one from many Again, increased by one Is there a you without me The me with star swept eyes Alive with fresh becomings New grass beneath black skies New grass beneath black skies
It’s cheating but I don’t know if I like this as much as the Palms playlist I made, where I removed 3 weak tracks and replaced them with Deeper Wells songs. That said I did enjoy my first listen, and it seems like a grower. No real stand outs, but also nothing I can see myself skipping or cutting in a playlist It’s incredibly cohesive album
hmm do i like this as much as an album thats been out for 12 years and is one of the most important albums of my adolescence and reminds me of growing up and coming of age? it hard to say,,,,
Best post reunion album they’ve released and best since Beggars. Could it reach Beggars levels for me? After 2nd listen, I think it’s very likely it could.