Small Black - Best Blues


Small Black
Best Blues
2015

Indie rock can sometimes be quite the fickle mistress. On one hand a band can truly get the music they want out there without any interference while on the other hand no input can mean an album that ventures to far out there to really land with listeners. Small Black suffer none of those pitfalls. With a chillwave vibe and a focus on lo-fi Best Blues may be the best album to date that Small Black have put out. The lo-fi is just enough to make an impact without a deliberate sentiment, the electro-pop is never over powering or derivative and Josh Kolenik's voice lays lightly on top of the music letting everything else fill the room around him. One of the singles from the record "Boys Life" as well as it's accompanying video put the band's hipsterdom out there for all to see, but it does not reach a point of wanting to roll your eyes. There is an emotional center to Small Black that really comes across in their writing, each song almost creates a visual in your mind as if you can see the video that should come with these tunes. It really is something quite special.

If there is a critique to Best Blues it is the middle. While the first few songs set a high bar and the final third bring these together in an exciting way the few tracks in between do seem to float along at a slow pace leaving a sense of them blending together into a bit of a mush. There really is not the standouts like "Smoke Around the Bend" or 'Personal Best" in this section however it just makes the bright spots shine all the more. Despite the just ok middle the album does have a really great flow and maintains a constant theme track to track. You are never sucked into one moment or another instead you are able to just ride along as the album ebbs and flows. The production is also a nice touch on Best Blues there is just enough of an effected tone to give it some character but not enough to make it feel forced. Best Blues is a really great album and something quite different from everything else out there, take a listen and enjoy.

8.3 out of 10

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