ALBUM (OF THE WEEK): Archive ‘Restriction’

The Band: London collective Archive celebrate two decades together with the release of Ritual, their tenth studio album.

Sounds Like: Arcade Fire covering a Massive Attack / London Grammar mash-up.

The Album: Restriction is an elective collection from the currently 12-piece collective, showcasing an ability to switch from lo-fi, Strokes-y riffs (opener ‘Feel It’), electronic explosions (recent single ‘Kid Corner’) and stunning, stop-in-tracks ballad moments (‘End Of Our Days’). If anything, the album almost acts as a compilation, allowing for the various vocalists to step up to the mic and command the rest of the band. Although the band are huge in Europe (look no further than the fact that there are several live dates in France and Germany, but just one in the UK), their so-genrefull-it’s-almost-genreless sound could and should appeal to many here, and where better to start than album #10? Sometimes hushed, often confident and always atmospheric, Archive may just be one of the UK music scene’s best kept secrets.

Live Dates: Friday 10th April, Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Watch:

Restriction is out now via PIAS.

 

Dan Bull

Dan Bull

Reviews Editor
London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."