The Spielbergs - This is Not the End

The Spielbergs

This is Not the End

2019

Spotify

When you hear Norwegian rock group you mind typically goes to something like black or death metal. The Nordic countries tend to produce some of the darkest bleakest rock and roll that is meant to chill you right to the bone. This new record their debut LP features two tracks from their first EP Distant Star and follows their mold of anthemic indie rock. Music for a party without being party music is usually the name of the game in this genre, getting people to sing along and feel all the emotion of each one of your "whoas". In that respect this album actually works; the muddy guitars and rapid pace feels like something fresh. Don't let that make you think this is some kind of album about flowers and butterflies though, there is still plenty of dark themes and aggressiveness. Songs like "We Are All Going to Die" have this dark soul about them but the music itself is almost completely jubilant. It's that cathartic release that only great indie rock can give you. However it would be diminishing to call this straight indie because in actuality it sides more closely to post rock and punk. There is a pacing and vibe that indie never seems to capture just right here and it actually gives the album a lot more life than you typically hear in indie rock. There is a boldness in making this kind of music with your first album. Instead of relying on their tried and true sounds The Spielbergs take big swings and reach for something more, which they often find like the perfectly weird guitar solo on "You All Look Like Giants". 

The thing you won't find here though is flowery lyrics. "Bad Friend"'s chorus goes "You're a Bad Friend! You're a Bad Friend! You're a Bad Friend! You're a Bad Friend to Me!" but the sentiment makes perfect sense. Where as "McDonald's (Please Don't Fuck Up My Order)" is almost perfectly a post rock slash shoegaze experience. Having this song which is mostly without lyrics in the middle of the album is a strong choice but it's one that actually works out incredibly well. When the lyrics do come in they basically say exactly what they song title is, I hope Mcdonald's doesn't fuck up my order. The album truly takes you on a ride, from gentle swaying tracks to those that are relentless with musical power. They don't feel bothered to reignite some indie lovefest or set the world on fire with their music. Without those pressures of stakes, This is Not the End is allowed to just exist and be. The music doesn't fret being examined or picked apart because in the end none of that really matters, it is about the emotion and feeling that it gives you. The Spielbergs know that, or maybe they don't, but it's that lack of limiting pressure that allows this record to soar, and soar it does. 

8.3 out of 10