Hamstrung by blippity-blooping indie electro-pop idioms in recent years, Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes seems creatively refreshed as he delivers one of his spaciest, most sonically interesting sets of songs on White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood.
There won’t be another album that comes out this year that sounds like White is Relic/Irrealis Mood.
On White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood, Barnes shows that he has grasped and mastered the exhilaration and anxiety of the dance floor, harnessing it into yet another memorable effort—psych-funk where the “psych” stands for “psychoanalysis.”
Citing influences from DJ Screw to James Baldwin, Kevin Barnes’ latest is a maximalist dance party about our simulated realities.
Unease with our increasingly digital world has gradually worked its way into Barnes's songwriting in recent years as well, and White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood cranks up his fear of a simulated reality to Philip K. Dickian levels of dread.
Taken together, White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood offers convoluted yet catchy dance-rock that lures with flamboyant basslines while capturing a dancing-while-anxious Zeitgeist.
White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood is, in essence, a very solid new of Montreal album. But have there been enough of those now? For many people who got on board a decade ago, of Montreal’s career has become a priapic, confusing blur.
#4 | / | AXS |
#88 | / | Under the Radar |