My first time listening to algiers. Damn, do they nail every single genre they try. And all of them combined so well to add to such an interesting narrative. The last album I heard on the new music Friday, and easily the best I heard that day. Hit me like a ton of bricks, lyrically and musically. Love this.
I was excited for this album already, but your review is going to make me check out right now. Let's see if it overtakes the Parannoul album as my favourite of the year. Jeez, this album is something special. Needs to sit with me longer so I can understand it, but the lyrics are super aggressive and threatening, but also empowering. Bangers on bangers, with just enough emotional moments.
I feel kind of weird sometimes when I *like* that an album is "work" to fully process, but it's nice that Mark seems to be someone who shares that perspective.
interesting that you didn't like green iris as much, it's one of my faves purely for that gorgeous piano work. been listening to a lot of jazz and it is so reminiscent of McCoy Tyner and John Coltrane's work, which I think fits for a mood of prayer and healing!
I was definitely looking forward to this album, and while I did enjoy its ambitious concept and musical detours overall, I felt that the album suffered a little from an overly sporadic flow and a few too many interludes for me. Certainly a lot better than their last album, but I feel like the band may have overcompensated a little to bring back their more innovative side, which was lacking a little on that 2020 album. EDIT: Recently listened to the album again. Holy moly, this is fantastic. Not the most perfectly put together or easy album to absorb but easily the hardest stuff they’ve done since 2017.
I thought this album was a mess. I find no real cohesion to the album. Theres a lot of parts i really like, but it comes off like clipping without any of the finesse of clipping.
