aethermead by of Montreal: Album Review
aethermead by of Montreal: Album Review
For decades, of Montreal has delivered quality albums that have often left their fans asking for more. The band, led by sole constant member Kevin Barnes, is sometimes called anti-pop due to Barnes’ pedantic themes and negative lyrical expression. The new album, aethermead, feels disjointed in the same way emotional journal entries do, yet it’s a solid addition to the band’s discography. But aethermead seems to lack a cohesive energy.
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The album begins with the upbeat track “Already Dreaming,” which immediately invokes a surreal, dreamy atmosphere. That energy is funneled into a pleasant funk sound by the second song “Wanting for Air”–a song makes me feel worse for the woman than for Barnes himself.
aethermead cover by David Barnes
The record takes on a somber and almost stalker-like energy as it progresses through its 13 tracks. Reeling from a recent split with his wife, he pens lyrics implying that she will never find love beyond his grasp. Almost every song is meant as a dagger into her heart. But tracks like “Take the Form” and “When,” which features an engaging punk guitar sound, offer a fun musical reprieve from the melancholy themes. Ultimately though, gloomy and distraught lyrics spoil the energy of even the most upbeat cuts. Barnes seems to treat each song as an individual therapy session. Yet, the album offers little closure from the trauma he explores.
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aethermead seems to reflect a lost relationship in an unhealthy way and focuses on the negative qualities Barnes showed to his lover while blaming her for leaving. Whether intentional or not, Barnes paints himself into a pitiful corner. While there’s clearly great creativity on the album, the end product fails to gather any real momentum and quickly becomes monotonous. It not only fails to capture any real energy but also serves as an example of over-production.
Taryn Segal
Of Montreal has solidified itself as an anti-pop staple. Despite that, even a longtime fan like me struggles to find any unique relevance within this album. While the music itself is high-quality, the album’s structure and overall feeling leave much to be desired. Some songs on this album may fit well within a playlist, but it struggles to stand on its own.
Of Montreal releases their 20th Studio Album, aethermead, on June 5 via Polyvinyl Record Co.
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