Relaxer continues to deliver the ambient and electronic noises that alt-J gave audiences with their previous two albums. Starting at a slow pace Relaxer starts of with a lounge-style of instrumentalization. One of my problems with alt-J's previous works is the amount of time it takes for their music to hit a soothing melody. Once again, the first track on their new album does not give a payoff until the very end. That being said, Joe Newman's voice helps to give a bit of strength to "3WW" at the very end. Luckily, the band picks up the pace with the second track on the album.
"In Cold Blood" is a great mix of vocals and looping with some nice beat drops here and there. This is the first time I have felt intensity with the ever-so-often relaxed band. Right after "In Cold Blood", the band creates an interesting cover of "House of the Rising Sun". Their take on the classic hit is very quiet and lacks the rawness that The Animals gave their listeners. There are some interesting acoustic instrumentals, but the song never takes off. Oddly enough, the next hit on the track sounds more like The Animals than alt-J's cover of "House of the Rising Sun". "Hit Me Like That Snare" has a vampirish tone. It's like an Addams Family rendition of an old British song. Plain-old weird and kind of creepy.
The next three tracks of the album are somewhat boring, with similar concepts that have already been tested by alt-J in their previous discography. The ambience is dull with a few synthesized flourishes here and their. Nothing needs to be discussed for these tracks because nothing is too interesting. Fortunately, alt-J leaves listeners with a decent vibration in their ears. "Pleader" includes classical instruments with sweet strings and woodwinds. The track is a pleasurable finish, balancing between the creepier tone and delectable serenades.
Score: 5/10
Favorite Tracks: "In Cold Blood", "Pleader"
Least Favorite Tracks: "House of the Rising Sun", "Deadcrush", "Adeline"
"In Cold Blood" is a great mix of vocals and looping with some nice beat drops here and there. This is the first time I have felt intensity with the ever-so-often relaxed band. Right after "In Cold Blood", the band creates an interesting cover of "House of the Rising Sun". Their take on the classic hit is very quiet and lacks the rawness that The Animals gave their listeners. There are some interesting acoustic instrumentals, but the song never takes off. Oddly enough, the next hit on the track sounds more like The Animals than alt-J's cover of "House of the Rising Sun". "Hit Me Like That Snare" has a vampirish tone. It's like an Addams Family rendition of an old British song. Plain-old weird and kind of creepy.
The next three tracks of the album are somewhat boring, with similar concepts that have already been tested by alt-J in their previous discography. The ambience is dull with a few synthesized flourishes here and their. Nothing needs to be discussed for these tracks because nothing is too interesting. Fortunately, alt-J leaves listeners with a decent vibration in their ears. "Pleader" includes classical instruments with sweet strings and woodwinds. The track is a pleasurable finish, balancing between the creepier tone and delectable serenades.
Score: 5/10
Favorite Tracks: "In Cold Blood", "Pleader"
Least Favorite Tracks: "House of the Rising Sun", "Deadcrush", "Adeline"
Image credit: By Darligulves - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46194801
