Right off the back, WhoMadeWho lets you know that Through The Walls will not be the same catchy, instantly accessible material of his previous works. Things are slowed down here, almost to a crawl, there are wide open spaces throughout songs and the sounds are almost atmospheric in nature – he’s crafted a truly ethereal ambiance here. There are a few moments of more traditional pop reaches but for the most part the album is all about deep contemplation and it’s not hard to imagine this being the soundtrack to someone’s out-of-body experience zooming through the cosmos. I’m not sure if WhoMadeWho was aided by any psychedelics in the creation of Through The Walls but he managed to craft one trippy musical journey, and I can dig it.
While Django Django's previous efforts felt a bit more artsy in intention, the experimentation on Marble Skies feels done with the sole purpose of creating something fun. And it is fun, it's a lighthearted, head nodding romp full of brilliant melodies and earworm hooks. It's almost impossible not to be pulled into their joyous orbit.
East Forest floods the senses in "Cairn" - soothing the heart and challenging the mind, building on its meditative theme with admirable sophistication. Sweet song all the way.
Fever Ray's sound is not easily quantifiable nor is it's intent, it's quintessential mood music and just one of those things where you just know it when you hear it. I'm not sure that I enjoyed Plunge as much as her first album, at least not immediately, but there's no denying the sheer creativity and boundary pushing present that succeeds at evoking emotional response better than almost anything else that comes to mind.
“Run baby run
We’re leaving nothing undone
You are my only mission
Uuuh yeah
Don’t climb the vision
You know we’ve only just begun”
Have you heard Through The Walls? What’d you think about it? Do you think WhoMadeWho was aided by any psychedelics in the creation of this? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave your own ratings and reactions to the album.
Through The Walls Reaction
Conclusion
I'm not sure if WhoMadeWho was aided by any psychedelics in the creation of Through The Walls but he managed to craft one atmospheric, contemplative, trippy musical journey, and I can dig it.
Fuego!!!
I Don't Know
Neighbourhood
Crystals
Goodbye to All I Know