When Lewis Del Mar first dropped their track ‘Loud(y)’, it was evident that the New York pair had unearthed something quite special, almost deconstructing a garage rock sound into something distinctly their own. It was also no surprise that the two drew attention to radio shot callers such as Annie Mac and Huw Stephens. But like many bands who understand one particular concept…you’re only as good as your last single and a great full-length is the true writing on the wall on what an act can do. But like the city that they live in, there is an “F you” attitude toward the rule books, which is actually why their self-titled LP goes far beyond the mark of exceptional – they have musically done what they’ve wanted to do.
The album opener ‘Such Small Scenes’ begins with a dark, intense bass line surrounded by distorted-like drumming before morphing into a subtle guitar riff-driven indie piece that is spacious and airy. Tracks like ‘Painting (Masterpiece)’ finds Lewis Del Mar taking breakbeat kicks traditionally fancied by classic Hip-Hop producers, rapidly transcending into a raw rock/pop minimalism, lyrically inspiring one to create their physical surrounding into what she or he has always dreamt. ‘Puerto Cabeza, NI’ best exemplifies their alchemy of style blending as bossa nova drums and a repeating guitar one liner transform into a sonically militant force of stance as vocals are tipped with more distortion, yet delicate keys are sprinkled throughout, creating an undefined beauty. Whilst ‘Tap Water Drinking’ draws from a Hip-Hop, head-nodding sensibility, ‘Islands’ provide a sweet and slow-down period, contrasting the urgent feel of other cuts on the LP. ‘Live That Long’ closes the record as a sort of long kiss goodbye, with the words “I won’t live that long, but it don’t feel wrong” embedded in the hook, with melancholia firmly hanging but no less peaceful.
Lewis Del Mar sounds like the soundtrack to the duo’s inner and exclusive world, not concerned about the trends or hype of the outside. By organically ripping out the pages of format, cutting them up and reassembling them into their own play book, the result is an album that is truly masterful, meaningful and utterly enjoyable.
Tracklist:
1. Such Small Scehens
2. Loud (y)
3. 14 Faces
4. Painting (Masterpiece)
5. Puerto Cabezas, NI
6. Tap Water Drinking
7. Malt Liquor
8. H.D.I
9. Island
10. Live That Long