"Sad is
happy for deep people."
I'm not entirely
sure if the above statement (from one of the best episodes of Doctor Who) is completely correct, but
there is certainly something true about it, speaking as one who gravitates
to the melancholy and bittersweet.
The sophomore album
from Majical Cloudz (vocalist Devon Welsh and instrumentalist Matthew Otto) is
named Are You Alone?, and with a name like that, you know you're in for some sad stuff. But I'm happy to report the album is just shatteringly lovely.
Are You Alone? captures the sadness that's mixed into the
beauty of life – that beautiful wistfulness that creeps into even the most joyful of
moments. Some might find it a little too melancholy, but for those of us with
an appreciation for the flavor, it goes down like fine wine.
Otto fills the
album with minimalist synths and drums (think a somber Postal Service), but
this kind of sonic landscape is the perfect match for Welsh's strong, baritone
vocals. Welsh doesn't do a lot of vocal acrobatics or anything fancy here. Instead, it's just
clear, direct singing that cuts through anything false, and gets to the heart
of the matter.
And for these
guys, "the matter" is just getting deep into sadness. I mean really burrowing
into it, wrapping yourself with it like a blanket and wallowing in it. Just
look at the first two verses of "If You're Lonely":
One summer I fell in love
For the first time
It would change my whole life
I would learn to love someone
And not be alone
So slowly the love went away
And I was frozen
I didn't want to lose that love
I didn't want to leave behind
Part of myself
I mean, that is
some epic, draw-the-shades and weep, sad shit. And completely relatable, seeing
as the number of first loves that pan out is pretty low. We've all been there,
but we've all survived it as well. As the song moves on, so does Welsh, and by
the end, he's found a measure of peace and acceptance.
So if you're lonely
You don't have to be
All alone
No one has to be that way
No one has to be afraid of being loved.
This last verse
completely encapsulates the hope that comes with really moving past a
relationship, and always being connected to that person. When you really only
want someone to be happy, that's real love.
When it comes
down to it, Welsh is a romantic (which, let's be honest, means you're going to
have to deal with a fair bit of sadness), and Are You Alone? is overflowing with excellent songs for a mixtape
for your partner. It's entirely possible "Downtown" will be my favorite
love song of the year, especially with lines like, "There's one thing I'll
do/If it ever goes wrong/I'll write you into my all of my songs."
And the
opening to "Call On Me" can absolutely floor you, if you let it:
Call on me
Come up with me
In this lifelong dream you are first in my mind
I am your friend till the end of your life.
Are You Alone?
probably won't live in your car (unless you spend a lot of time driving long periods
of time alone at night), but it absolutely will get under your skin and into
your mind. It's an album for quiet moments, for when you want to appreciate
the love in your life (both past and present) and for when you want to be sad.
And (as the Doctor) knows about being sad, "You say that as if it’s a bad
thing. But honestly it’s the best thing there is."
Are You Alone? is
out on Matador.
Also recommended this week:
Beach House's
surprise second album of the year, Thank
Your Lucky Stars.
Birthmark's How You Look When You're Falling Down.
Deerhunter's lovely,
warbly Fading Frontier.
Part two of
Game's comeback, The Documentary 2.5.
Neon Indian's
long-awaited electronic exploration, VEGA
INTL. Night School.
Raury's effervescent
rap-folk album, All We Need.
Josh Ritter's
biblical folk album, Sermon on the Rocks.
Small Black's
80's throwback, Best Blues.
Former Death Cab
for Cutie member Chris Walla's instrumental experiment, Tape Loops.
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