Review Summary: Slow Crush quench our ears in a triumphant return to form
In many ways, Slow Crush is more than just a band. Emboldened by tides of transcendent reverb, this Belgian quartet delivers something more akin to ethereal transmissions, rather than simple songs. It's a sensual privilege to lend an ear to such a project, and this latest offering further solidifies an ever-illustrious legacy. With 'Thirst', Slow Crush satiate our elusive tranquil desires with more style than ever before.
Unlike their prior record, 'Hush', which felt highly reserved and gentle, 'Thirst' delivers a more oppressive and sonically diverse experience. The title track opens up with an explosion of atmospheric wonder, with Isa delivering her greatest vocal performance to date. Like a brilliant and beautiful solar flare, the music hits you with such profound juxtaposition it's almost overwhelming. The Slow Crush formula of contrasting performances could be ill-advised on paper, but somehow the execution works. Isa's angelic voice pairs with Frederick's thunderous, yet tasteful drumming for serene stability, with driving and spacey riffage bridging the gap.
In addition to the title track, which revels in peaks and valleys of tenacity, the record has plenty of variety across the board. 'Covet' is a rock 'n' roll shoegaze cathedral, with the swoon of a saxophone solo echoing throughout it's mighty halls. 'Haven' is an evolutionary experience, gradually building from the heavenly segue of 'Hollow' into a flurry of crushing chords and tremolos. 'Hlýtt' is a delightful post-rock bookend of texture and detail, gradually ramping into a crescendo of harsh vocals and stirring echoes. If there's anything 'Thirst' makes clear, it's that the band walks a fine line between hypnotic intimacy and otherworldly intensity, which admittedly dwelled too much on the former in their prior release.
Another crucial component of the Slow Crush recipe is the immense production. The snare hits you like the crash of tidal waves on coastal rocks in the midst of a colossal storm, with the guitars enveloping you in the glorious spray of the sea. It's highly complimentary for the one-two punches of 'Hollow / Haven' and 'Ógilt / Hlýtt', where the style variances are never more apparent. The slow sections are brimming with soothing immersion as they traverse layers of samples, effects, synths and various other production treasures. The lively sections are also magical in their own right, boasting a dreamy bouquet of guitar effects to accompany the pulse-pounding drums.
In all, 'Thirst' is an exemplary work of art. Slow Crush come through as proud ministers, happily marrying various worlds of music, and we as listeners are lucky enough to feast our ears in a front row seat. It's a mesmerizing, yet captivating affair that's sure to please fans of shoegaze, dream pop, and post-rock. It's the type of record you don't know you need, or can even believe possible, until you hear it. I would recommend this to anyone with a keen ear, especially on a night drive or a leisurely autumn hike. Do yourselves a favor and check this out!
