Low
Drums And Guns

THE REVIEW

Despite what my nickname might suggest, I'm not a punk rock purist. This is evidenced by my passion for some bands that, between the Eighties and Nineties, emerged in the crowded indie world with a minimal and skeletal approach, indebted to the angst-filled atmospheres of Joy Division as well as the emotionality of the Smiths, married with slow and reflective cadences.

Galaxie 500, Codeine come to mind, and, let's get to the point, Low. They are among the bands that have moved me the most recently, bringers of masterpieces (and if not such, they come close) like "Secret Name" and "Trust", both permanent residents in my CD player. Two years ago, with the release of the "bewildering" (but not in a negative way) "The Great Destroyer", we could discover how they wanted to change. Now we are given confirmation with this "Drums & Guns", in which, for the first time, the duo Alan Sparhawk/Mimi Parker is joined by the new bassist Matt Livingston. The album strikes from the outset, with the dark litany "Pretty People", where the sound of the guitar is significantly lowered to make room for loops and drum machines, regular guests of the album, but the extraordinary vocal duets between the Sparhawk couple remain, filled with an almost overwhelming intensity. "Belarus", in which the guitar disappears entirely, is an example of this, and leaves you quite puzzled (however live, as demonstrated in recent concerts of the Italian tour, the effects are created by Alan with the pedalboard itself). But here comes the gem: "Hatchet", a POP! track where their voices collide perfectly, supported by the "usual" drum machine and giving the environment around us as we listen a kind of aura that distances us from the rest. It continues through more (Dust On A Window) and slightly less (Dragonfly) beautiful tracks, but probably the impression is given by the shock from this new move by the trio. Nonetheless, the conclusion with the "spiritual" "Violent Past" speaks for itself, meaning it makes us understand how Low is always a great band and how this album is (only?) a good chapter in their discography.

What will the next move be? Personally, I can't wait to find out, hoping they craft a little pop masterpiece like "Immune" (from "Secret Name", the soundtrack of my (heavy) journeys to school.