∆ (Alt-J) - Something Good

∆ were on my radar for a while and after winning the 2012 Mercury Prize (awarded to best album of the year from the U.K. and Ireland) I decided it was time to sit down and indulge. I had only previously listened to Breezeblocks and Something Good (which I share with you now) but when I sat down to the rest of the album I found a sound that they’ve been working to create for the past 5 years. Pitchfork gave their album a 4.8 rating but I seldom agree with them (after all my favorite album, Sam’s Town, garnered a measly 5.9). They saw an overworked album and I found one that had been prepared with care. One of their main points was that you couldn’t understand some of the lyrics but after listening to Bon Iver I don’t think that’s really an issue.

What keeps me listening is their artful interweaving of melodies, drums, piano and synth. What constantly amazes me about music is that these all of these sounds come from the same instruments. Whether they’re slowing it down, layering it up or giving you an interlude of just voices, I think ∆ made some remarkable sounds with this album. They’re also on Tumblr if you wanted to follow.

Something good tonight,

-Zach