Alt-J is a band that, over the past year, has grown immensely in popularity. The first time I'd heard of them was when they were playing the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival last year (2013). After I saw Japandroids, I stuck around a bit and listened to them, and they sounded absolutely phenomenal, and had a great time slot that fit their aesthetic very well. Needless to say, I was definitely anticipating what they would come up with as a follow-up to An Awesome Wave, and I'm positive I wasn't the only one.
The first song I heard from This Is All Yours was "Left Hand Free," which is far and above the least Alt-J-sounding song in the band's catalogue. Supposedly written by the band to appease their record label, it even has lyrics that would be big single material (Well your left hand's free / And your right's in a grip / With another left hand / Watch his right hand slip / Towards his gun / Oh no). Fans of the band's more experimental side may not enjoy the track, but I really like it.
The album itself starts off a little slow, with "Intro" and "Arrival In Nara" not really grabbing me that much. However, once "Nara" starts, the album begins to flow quite spectacularly; the song in question has huge, grand orchestral synths and a neat glockenspiel part to add to the sound. The next song, "Every Other Freckle," sounds a lot to me like "Breezeblocks," with a very similar cadence, but with a different theme lyrically.
Throughout this album, one should expect to find minimal instrumentation in each song, and with vocals that harmonize very well, it gives off a haunting feel. One such song that has this quality is "Warm Foothills," s very fall-sounding track (and just in time for the change in seasons, too) and one of my favorites on the album. At first listen, it sounded to me like a lost Fleet Foxes song being recorded in the style of Alt-J. The similarities to Fleet Foxes don't end there; "Pusher" is a more stripped-down track that has only guitars and a piano to supplement the sound.
The album ends with "Leaving Nara," a bold ending to a great follow-up to An Awesome Wave.
Overall, while I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the band's debut, it's still a worthy follow-up, and I'd say the group did a pretty good job of avoiding the dreaded "sophomore slump." If anything it's a great "fall album," just in time for the new season. Sonically, it's not anything new for Alt-J, but it's still a great listen.
My rating: 8/10
Favorite tracks: Nara; Left Hand Free; Choice Kingdom; Warm Foothills
The album itself starts off a little slow, with "Intro" and "Arrival In Nara" not really grabbing me that much. However, once "Nara" starts, the album begins to flow quite spectacularly; the song in question has huge, grand orchestral synths and a neat glockenspiel part to add to the sound. The next song, "Every Other Freckle," sounds a lot to me like "Breezeblocks," with a very similar cadence, but with a different theme lyrically.
Throughout this album, one should expect to find minimal instrumentation in each song, and with vocals that harmonize very well, it gives off a haunting feel. One such song that has this quality is "Warm Foothills," s very fall-sounding track (and just in time for the change in seasons, too) and one of my favorites on the album. At first listen, it sounded to me like a lost Fleet Foxes song being recorded in the style of Alt-J. The similarities to Fleet Foxes don't end there; "Pusher" is a more stripped-down track that has only guitars and a piano to supplement the sound.
The album ends with "Leaving Nara," a bold ending to a great follow-up to An Awesome Wave.
Overall, while I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the band's debut, it's still a worthy follow-up, and I'd say the group did a pretty good job of avoiding the dreaded "sophomore slump." If anything it's a great "fall album," just in time for the new season. Sonically, it's not anything new for Alt-J, but it's still a great listen.
My rating: 8/10
Favorite tracks: Nara; Left Hand Free; Choice Kingdom; Warm Foothills