Wales-based band Los Campesinos! released their fifth album on Tuesday, returning to their witty pop sound in No Blues. The album’s 10 tracks feature the six-member band displaying perfectly timed lyricism and well developed melodies.
After the 2011 release of Hello Sadness, the band was stuck in a transitory state, trying to move on from the nostalgia-laden first three albums that had sounds of both playful childhood and the continuous journey of life.
However, No Blues has LC! finding its footing in the world of indie pop, and is one of the most elaborate yet down-to-earth releases of the year.
The dueling vocals of Kim and Gareth David allow for a playful call-and-response feeling throughout the album, complimenting the variety of instrumentations that dot the songs.
While the album isn’t quite a shift in direction for the band’s musical stylings, the album has much more refined production, allowing the band members to show off their impressive talents.
Tracks “For Flotsam” and “Avocado Baby” are both true to the spirit of LC!, with literary allusions and pounding drums pushing along the tracks. They’re well complimented by the softer “The Time Before the Last Time.” “Cemetery Gaits” is a return to form for the band, with Gareth David’s vocals working excellently with the two guitar tracks and backing vocals.
The band’s unity is well reprented in the chorus of almost every song, with a loud push of noise pop that blends well with each instrument. No song sounds over produced or underplayed, and the band doesn’t come off as cocky or overly boastful of their indie success story.
The album’s last track, “Selling Rope (Swan Dive To Estuary),” is a near-perfect conclusion, illustrating the overall talents of each member, from piano to drums to bass guitar. With this six-minute finale, the band gracefully says goodbye to the listener, with nostalgia and tongue-in-cheek writing that sends the experience off on a high note.
If you’ve never listened to LC! before, listen to this album immediately. If you are a major fan of LC!, or even if you’ve hated their pop-laced indie rock, listen to it anyways. It’s a fine offering from one of the most cohesive and consistent bands of the last ten years.
Grade: A
