Transcendent, dense and nostalgic
I didn’t know that songs can really have souls until I listened to Lowland Hum’s self-titled album. To me, it was as if I was being immersed in water and I would rise and feel like I was born again. Transcendent, dense and nostalgic—this is an experience that I would unrelentingly bask myself in. Since their debut album, Native Air in 2013, the duo has come back this year with Lowland Hum packed with more breadth and ethos. Flowing like a river into your soul, it invites you to dunk yourself in its tracks as if you are one with it as you are one with nature. Only a few artists I know (say, alt-J, Ben Howard, or Bon Iver to name a few) can emulate this natural-cum-spiritual transcendence that the album has in each of its tracks amalgated into one essential LP. “Odell”, “Olivia” and “Charleston” are so far one of the best first three vocal tracks I have ever heard. The venerational beats of “Odell”, the moving folksy rhythms and melodies of “Olivia”, and the ethereal humming in “Charleston” are all divine. As gripping as these tracks are the more subtle tracks such as “Jack of Hearts”, “1999”, “Morning Meal” and “Under the Rub”. With an excellent lyrical content, the tracks communicate to you with such depth and beauty. Many of the songs are really quotable. You can actually use them as your mantra. Growing up is like gravity / A steady erosion / I wasn’t ready / The waves in the ocean / They’re rolling and rolling [from “Rolling and Rolling”]. I hope my body is only a shell / A shadow at dusk / The ring of a bell [from “Older, Wiser”]. It is a sin to take for granted the lyrics of the songs in this album. Overall, Lowland Hum has achieved a masterful feat in their sophomore album. It is one of a kind—cathartic and forbidding. I can say that Daniel and Lauren Goans are by far the two of the best duos I’ve ever heard since the century started. They deserve much adoration and praise. Daniel and Lauren Goans (Lowland Hum) are a songwriting duo from North Carolina. They had been married since 2012 and had already released two albums--Native Air (2013) and Lowland Hum (2015)—and an EP--Four Sisters (2014). Their album Lowland Hum is released today. Listen to them here or visit their website: http://www.lowlandhum.com/ | TRACK LISTING 1. Sunday 01:30 2. Odell 03:12 3. Olivia 04:17 4. Charleston 04:40 5. Jack of Hearts 03:28 6. 1999 03:12 7. Older, Wiser 03:56 8. Fold 02:17 9. Lautrec 04:23 10. Nightdriving 04:03 11. Rolling and Rolling 04:12 12. Morning Meal 04:48 13. Under the Rub 05:07 |