Lowtide’s self-titled debut album has been a while coming, but hell, it was worth the wait. There are lashings of Joy Division and Explosions In The Sky in its emotive and often dark swell, and the emphatic chord progressions could bring grown men to their knees.
The opener ‘Whale’ is, for want of a better analogy, like a whale’s call. It’s haunting yet beautiful, and sets the pace for an album that moves like the sea. First single ‘Blue Movie’ succeeds in deceiving the listener as to when exactly it will erupt, move into a chorus or even end, making it a strong centrepiece for the band’s debut.
‘Missing History’is vaguely reminiscent of The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’, as it winds up for each chorus, but dares to be more delicate. A major highlight on the album, its softness resonates long after the six minutes and fourteen seconds have come to an end. The closing track, ‘Still Time’, is appropriately sobering.
Each track, in both sound and name, seems to evolve or transition from the one that preceded it, reinforcing the sense of movement and maturity on the album.
4/5.
Lowtideis out now through Lost And Lonesome.
