Album Review
Kurt Vile - b’lieve i’m goin down
4 StarsHis most open, captivating work to date.
‘b’lieve i’m goin down’ flits between Kurt Vile’s rich solo work and the layered compositions of his full-band The Violators, the difference being notable, yet equivalently frank and enthralling. Vile’s singular experiments combine his familiar finger-picked progressions with an air of pensive deliberation, the full-band dynamic thriving from the indelibly affirming melodies of lead-guitar, synth or the purposefully sudden introduction of bold piano to his forte. While feeling the contrast in emotions, his honest, open outlook is what makes his music so compelling, giving ‘b’lieve’ its cohesive quality.
There’s a lucid nature to each track on ‘b’lieve…’, trimming wistful elements displayed on ‘Wakin On a Pretty Daze’ without losing a touch of Vile’s integral sentimentality. A swell of gratifying melodies that appear throughout are a primary example, whether it be the swooping instrumental that meets emotional realisation within ‘That’s life, tho (almost hate to say)’, an eloquent verse through ‘Pretty Pimpin’ or ‘Dust Bunnies’ melancholic synth lead, Vile’s enamouring instrumentation delivers further clarity to his work.
While he continues to be less elusive, his music continues to thrive from his stark directness. “You’ve got to be alone to figure things out sometimes” is Vile at his most astute, as wise as they come, yet still working everything out day by day himself. Delivering his most open, captivating work to date, Kurt Vile draws on the wisecracks of ‘Smoke Ring…’ and the fluidity of ‘Wakin’ to present further growth, thankfully unhindered by the influence of pressure.
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Kurt Vile unveils plans for new EP ‘Back To Moon Beach’
He's also shared its lead single and announced a string of 2024 North American tour dates.
23rd October 2023, 1:21pm
Kurt Vile announces 10th anniversary re-issue of ‘Waking on a Pretty Daze’
He will also be playing a string of UK dates this summer.
24th April 2023, 12:00am
Kurt Vile - (watch my moves)
3-5 Stars
Unquestionably one of Kurt’s easier-going records.
15th April 2022, 12:00am
Kurt Vile announces new album ‘(watch my moves)’
It’s released in April.
15th February 2022, 10:32am
With Bob Vylan, St Vincent, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine and more.