An Awesome Wave by British band Alt-J was released this year. Is Alt-J (∆) another ‘alternative’ pop band that claims it has created innovative sounds and unique lyrics, all told through the beauty of a highly distinctive and fragile voice? (But in reality sounds like a boring raucous of embarrassingly obvious words and drab sounds?) I feared Alt-j would not awaken my ears to fresh music. In spite of these pessimistic thoughts I decided to give another indie album a listen.
Within minutes I had jumped right on the imaginary band wagon that celebrates Alt-J, just days before the album won the Mercury prize – an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the UK and Ireland.
The band, to my relief, is not just another mundane indie pop quartet. Its indie style is combined with a mixture of trip-hop, electronic heavy synth riffs, and at times even sounds folky. Each song seems to start slow then builds up solidly to create a reverberation of texturing sounds. In my opinion, a good album and a good smell are very similar. A smell that overpowers quickly becomes sickening and distasteful, but a more subtle scent – one that resonates and grows – is like music that is not immediately pleasing but becomes more satisfying with time and repetition.
The vocalist adds to the emotional intimacy of the songs, combining strong statements with abstract lyrics to the atmospheric music. Ultimately, the album is chilled out, fusing minimalist sounds with dense beats and unique vocals. “Something Good” “Breezeblocks” and “Fitzpleasure” are typical examples of songs that begin slowly but build up to a powerful chorus only to slip back into discreet, tranquil sounds.
The final track “Hand-Made” is a humble piece with harmonizing vocals and passionate guitar picking.
This album is well worth a listen (or ten), if you are looking for some chilled out, stimulating music.
Alt-J (∆) play The Olympia, Dublin on Friday May 3.
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