Instrumentals dominate to achieve grandeur

Album of the Month

Political but deeply personal

Drive-By Truckers — The Unraveling

(ATO)

Drive-By Truckers’ last album,American Band, rallies against the drift in constitution and the current government, with their rage predominantly aimed at gun laws. The Unravelling, their 12th album, is yet another blunt album of politically charged songs which cut to the very heart of the America in its present state. The album opens with a love song to Memphis,Rosemary With a Bible and a Gun, which recalls a trip by Cooley and Hood, that started out in ‘promise’ but ended in ‘despair.’ With powerful lyrics like “Her Daddy always said she was the one / who made the light the stars could wish upon / Rosemary with a bible and a gun.” Former Sugar bassist David Barbe has produced every Drive-by Truckers album since 2001, and owing to his expertise, not one of them sounds alike. Strong instrumentals dominate throughout, particularly the Hammond organ swells and the soaring guitar leads on the rockers. The lyrics are often political, addressing the rise of the destructive nature of US white supremacists. “When my children’s eyes look at me and they ask me to explain/ It hurts me that I have to look away,” he sings onThoughts and Prayers, an up-front experience of the assault of gun violence in America. Although there have been a few lineup changes over the years, co-founding singer/songwriter/guitarists Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood remains the backbone of the band, keeping the original sound intact. Elsewhere,Armageddon’s Back in Town sounds like an autobiographical account of dealing with problems and unexpected situations. It opens with aplomb, announcing, “There’s something to be said for hangin’ in there.” The album finishes with a brilliant, inconsolable eight-minute trackAwaiting Resurrection that concludes: “In the end we’re just standing/ Watching greatness fade/ Into darkness, awaiting resurrection.”The Unraveling may be overtly political, but it is also deeply personal and glimmers with hope.

Essential tracks:Rosemary With a Bible and a Gun,Thoughts and Prayers, Babies in Cages, Awaiting Resurrection

Rating: ***

A beautiful tour de force

Michael Kiwanuka — Kiwanuka

(Interscope)

Michael Kiwanuka has established himself as a ground-breaking, gifted, and soulful musician. His debut albumHome Again was delicate and nostalgic folk, while 2016’sLove & Hate leaned more towards expansive, forlorn rock. At 51 minutes, Kiwanuka enthrals the listener by expanding song structures with minute-long intros and interludes as well as extensive compositions that take on several forms. Opening trackYou Ain’t the Problem sets the pitch for much of what is to come with its countless instrumental layers, weighty percussion, echoes and 1970s soul. “Don’t hesitate/ Time heals the pain/ You ain’t the problem,” he reassures himself, as well as all those dealing with the uncertainties of present-day existence. The psychedelic soul Kiwanuka is known for has a strong presence here, particularly the whirlyFinal Days. Lyrically, the album reveals Kiwanuka at his most vulnerable and vociferous. “How does it feel to be on your own/ No one to understand/ I know, I’m here and I don’t belong/ I’m on my knees today,” he sings onSolid Ground. OnI’ve Been Dazed, the smooth tones of Kiwanuka’s vocals combine with raw instrumentation to create an otherworldly modern work of art. The use of harps and gospel choir, merged with singing over filtered samples, makes the track stand-out from the rest of the collection. Mid-tempoHero offers a 1940s Hollywood fantasy and deeply emotional extended guitar solo from Kiwanuka, before a Portishead-esque sound leads into the seven-minute oeuvreHard To Say Goodbye. The former track is a perfect example of experimentation, starting off as a subtle acoustic performance before blowing-up into a distorted jam. The track is dedicated to Fred Hampton, a civil rights activist in the 1960s and the leader of Black Panther Party. Kiwanuka ends with the recurring lines, “A mile apart, leave and be free,” before the voices fade away into the distance.

Essential tracks:You Ain’t the Problem, Hero, Solid Ground, Rolling, Light

Rating:***

Bejar’s winning streak continues

Destroyer — Have We Met

(Merge)

Since the release ofStreethawk: Seduction in 2001, Dan Bejar has released a handful of consistently arranged successful albums. OnHave We Met Bejar mixes the trademark and new territory. The album displays Bejar mixing up his musical intellect, almost entirely abandoning the sonics from his last release 2017’sKen. On this new effort, Bejar keeps most of the duties to himself, composing much of the album at his kitchen table, with long-time associates, producer John Collins contributing layered synths, and guitarist Nic Bragg filling-in with effervescent solos. This is Bejar’s best album since his 2011’sKaputt. OpenerCrimson Tide, is a dazzling mini-epic, with flawlessly arranged set of rhythms and piano accents, to achieve a cinematic grandeur.University Hill is archetypal Bejar. Atmospheric synths, temperamental bass and icy pianos layers. Even after more than 20 years of recordings, Bejar remains a pleasantly unpredictable and enigmatic writer. You can witness his striking form, right from the beginning of the album, with words like, “No wait, I take that back/ I was more like an ocean stuck inside hospital corridors.” The album hints back to hisKaput era, weaving together the best bits from the past, adding ardent career moments and merging in his latest fresh vibe.It Just Doesn’t Happen evokes the feeling of a euphoric party, loaded with free energy and keyboard hooks.The Raven makes for memorable headlines, thanks to Bejar’s vocal melody, and instrumental sections, accompanied with flourishing piano, overdriven by guitar. There are calm moments too. The uncannyThe Television Music Supervisortakes Dan’s sound deep into the ocean, while album closerfools song is reminiscent of 10CC’sI’m Not in Love. With extensive tones and a vast display off instrumentation throughout the album, this new collection sees Bejar more confident than we have heard in recent times.

Essential tracks:Crimson Tide, It Just Doesn’t Happen, The Television Music Supervisor,Cue Synthesizer

Rating:***

Saurabh Chadha

Top 10 Singles

1. The Box Roddy Ricch (CU)

2. Life Is Good Future feat. Drake (CU)

3. Circles Post Melone (FD)

4. Memories Maroon 5 (NM)

5. Someone You Loved Lewis Capaldi (FD)

6. Roxanne Arizona Zervas (NM)

7. Highest in the Room Travis Scott (FD)

8. Yummy Justin Bieber (CU)

9. Lose You To Love Me Selena Gomez (NM)

10. Everything I Wanted Billie Eilish

Legend:

(CU): Climbing Up (FD): Falling own (NM): Non-mover (NE): New Entry