The smart and quirky rock/folk/electronic band alt-J (∆) has released their second full-length album for the masses to stream, fittingly titled “This is All Yours.” Many artists are doomed to a “sophomore slump” – especially since this group had a grueling, relentless tour (back-to-back US festivals such as Bonnaroo, Cochella, Lollapalooza, Sasquatch, and South by Southwest) as well as guitarist/bassist Gwil Sainsbury departure for “personal reasons.”
Despite these setbacks, alt-J debuted an unforgettable venture into the depths of rock, electronica, and folk with this album, showing no signs of suffering from a lack of creativity. Stepping forward from the odd, yet compelling work of 2012, ‘An Awesome Wave,” the trio stretches further in their range, including a haunting twist to the new wave of R&B genre. From a sampling of Miley Cyrus’ vocals for “Hunger of the Pine,” something that will undoubtedly shock avid fans of this indie group, to an homage to Beck’s “Odelay” era with “Left Hand Free,” to the ethereal ballads of “Choice Kingdom,” and “Pusher,” this band leaves the listener craving more than simply fourteen tracks to enjoy.
The lyrics, just like on “An Awesome Wave,” create vivid, sensory images to pick apart and marvel over as you listen to Jon Newman’s vocals paint pictures in your mind, such as the couplet “Blue dragonflies dart to and fro/ I tie my life to your balloon and let it go” from “Warm Foothills.” The poetic, enigmatic lines leave your imagination in overdrive, the puzzling words so meticulously created that you can’t help but appreciate the time the band put into each track.
Coupled with the lyrics, the instrumentals on each track are flawlessly constructed, tying what could be a messy ensemble of quirky lyrics and odd rhythms into perfectly produced works. The blend of computer-generated beats and Gus Unger-Hamilton’s and Thom Green’s keyboard and percussion (respectively) compositions is seamless and easy on the ears, summoning nostalgia for listeners of their previous works.
Unlike many groups of the genre, alt-J isn’t afraid to step out of the box with this album, unafraid to walk the delicate line of what could have been a disastrous second addition to their discography. With a recipe of grueling live performances and the loss of an extremely talented and creative driving force, they could have faltered with their sophomore album. But, alt-J isn’t quite like other bands. With the bold, detailed “This Is All Yours,” this trio doesn’t disappoint, and only leaves listeners hitting “repeat.” alt-J’s newest release drops Tuesday, September 23 for only $8.99 on iTunes, and can be streamed in full with iTunes’ First Play.
