Review Summary: Arranged with a hint of atmosphere.
With the exciting releases of big name bands in March, it is nice to find an album very much under the radar and equally as soothing. Arrange has been recording this album for a year and a half. The amount of time spent embedded in this album has produced an eerie JMSN with the solidarity of Conor Oberst. This combination mixed together allows for a spacey album to float its way through the headphones.
The band ( i.e. Malcolm Lacey) uses a combination of synthesizers, guitars, and beats to create such a unique atmosphere. The vocals are delivered very lightly, rarely reaching above what feels like a whisper. 'Stranger' is an example of a solid song that combines a soothing melody with soft vocals, embracing ambiance as a way to drive a point. 'Dream' showcases a solid lyrical output accompanying the music, "They say you're older you're stronger, but you can say you can't stop what you feel, you can't help how you feel, you couldn't be if you wanted to be." The lyrics feel self-defeated against the calming music, and the contradictory nature is unbelievably addicting.
The compositions are also a highlight of the album. I can't help but say that the first track, 'A Fog' has the musical embrace and genius comparable to a Phil Collins song. That sentence reads unbelievably weird to me, but it works. At times the songs use drones to continue along, much like Black Swans or Tim Hecker would do. This is especially apparent in the longest song on the album, 'Heart // What If This Were It?' The penultimate track, 'For Ma' is a sentimental track using horn like effects to set the background of the strong performance.
'Their Bodies in a Fog' is one that is mixed between ambient, electronic music, and maybe, just maybe shoegazing. The album is a soothing listen, and one that should be heard as bigger bands continue to fill the month with releases. Arrange (Or Lacey) has released another solid album to add to the catalog.
