Of Montreal – White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood
ARTIST: OF MONTREAL
ALBUM: WHITE IS RELIC/IRREALIS MOOD
LABEL: POLYVINYL RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 9, 2018
Of Montreal brings the 80’s to our ears with their new album White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood.
The album is six tracks deep, but if you know Of Montreal, you know if feels like a full twelve tracks. Kevin Barnes, Of Montreal’s frontman, is known for his incredible writing skills. He makes songs that take so many turns, you almost forget you been listening to the same one.
The album starts off with “Softmusic/Juno Portriats Of The Jovian Sky” and almost instantly you feel a rush that takes you back to the 80’s. You first hear the words “Had you on my lips again, you don’t know me though, I don’t need a girlfriend, you don’t know me though” and you know these songs are going to get personal.
“Paranoaic Intervals/Body Dysmorphia” picks up the speed a bit, and lets you know it’s time for that dance party! The lyrics “You should be fucking with no one else, anyone but me is antipathy, anyone but me is just your enemy,” along with the synth and keyboards, create a track that will get you dancing like no one is watching. “Writing the circles/Orgone Tropics” slows it back down with a steady bass beat and effects over the vocals, making you want to take a trip in your mind while focusing on that sweet smooth saxophone. “Plateau Phase/No Careerism No Corruption” and easily one of the powerful tracks on this album. As you’re listening to those deep words being sung, this song takes multiple turns like a roller coaster, wondering how these sounds are even possible.
“Sophie Calle Private Game/Every Person Is A Pussy, Every Pussy Is A Star,” sets out the message in the title. That smooth sax returns in a very fitting fashion, going perfectly with Kevin’s seductive lyrics. The bassist also lays down one of funkiest lines so far as the song takes a shift, and gets you in the mood to lay down that person you call love.
Lastly, “If You Talk To Symbol/Hostility Voyeur” is a banger, and a perfect choice to cap off an amazing album. This song also throws you off a bit, serving up some sweet guitar riffs, with a steady head-bopping beat, ending with yet another soulful sax solo. This album was obviously inspired by pop singles of the 80’s, and is an album to be remembered as one of the greats in Of Montreal’s already stacked discography.
They play live at Soma San Diego, May 5th (tomorrow!). If you don’t know Of Montreal, know that their shows are filled with theatrics, costumes changes, and a passion that engages the crowd from start to finish.