ALBUM REVIEW: Broken Records

Broken Records return with their third album offering since 2010’s ‘Let Me Come Home’. Weights & Pulleys is an album of two halves, of night and day which fans of The National will most probably be playing on repeat in the summer months ahead.

‘Ditty (We Weren’t Ready)’ is a strong and promising start to the album as the soaring arrangement coincides with the repetitiveness of the rhythm and vocals which builds drama as pulses start racing. As an album, ‘Weights and Pulleys’ does not hang around as we explode straight into ‘Winterless Son’ which will tug even on the hardest of heartstrings with it’s pleading lyrics and passionate riffs. ‘Toska’ succeeds in softening the pace of the album with it’s gentle far-eastern melodies within the intro, but it doesn’t allow us to float away with the violins as the rhythm is experimentally broken up in parts, forcing us to stay alert.

Broken Records return to business however with the marching anthem ‘So Long, So Late’. Despite the militaristic feel, the track contains an unspoken tenderness which flows smoothly into the title track ‘Weights & Pulleys’, which pulls us in to it’s danceable energy. This energy takes a dramatic turn however, as ‘Betrayal’ gives the album a furious edge with it’s windswept passion building in Jamie Sutherland’s brooding vocals. The track also marks the end of the first half of the album as we are granted an intermission of classic violins and pianos, not only providing us with a respite, but also showcasing the classical talent that Broken Records are known for.

The second half of the album opens as a ray of optimism despite the title ‘You’ll Be Lonely (In A Little While)’ along with ‘Nothing Doubtful’ providing a refreshing, early morning breeze to the album which steadily and unexpectedly climbs into a celebratory track. This leads into ‘I Won’t You Leave You In The Dark’ which is strong and contagious as an energy fuelled dance anthem. The tone and pace is stripped back down for ‘All Else Can Wait’ with empowering vocals leaving a lasting impression as an outro.

There is a definite militaristic edge to ‘Weights & Pulleys’ with strong, marching rhythms prominent throughout. Broken Records’ unique set up of six members determines that there is close attention paid to time and detail on the features which grants them their edge, such as intricate pianos and violins gently breaking up the heaviness of the guitar riffs. Due to this, ‘Weights & Pulleys’ is set to be a firm summer favourite with the stormy journey that listeners will be taken on.

 

Nicky Lee-Delisle

 

Nicky Lee-Delisle

Nicky Lee-Delisle