broken social scene hug of thunder review

Feist takes the lead vocals and, much like on her own recent return ‘Pleasure’, she delivers a raw performance over restrained melodies that occasionally blossom with waves of reverb. The fleeting nature of time also plays a role on the title track, the emotional heart of the album that also happens to be one of the quietest and most reflective songs here. Kicking off with breathy, ‘60s-leaning harmonies and bursting with super-fidgety electronic flourishes throughout, it manages to be both crushing and featherweight at the same time, perfectly capturing both light and shade before unravelling in a swooning climax that laments on the passing of “the hours, the minutes, the seconds.” ‘Stay Happy’ balances both signs of the coin with aplomb. For every bombastic tune, there’s a more hushed, downbeat moment, usually tinged with an element of melancholia.

Instead, it balances the collective’s full-blooded sound with warmth and intimacy. ‘Vanity Pail Kids’ is fit to bursting with scuzzy riffs, while ‘Protest Song’ marries the ethereal vocals of Emily Haines with driving guitars and a pounding, repeated climax of “we’re just the latest, rank and filest ever to exist in the history of the protest song” that’s sure to become a sing-along moment.Īt the same time though, ‘Hug of Thunder’ is also a record that’s far from simply Broken Social Scene-by-numbers. It’s not the only huge, anthemic moment present on ‘Hug Of Thunder’ either. It truly felt like the Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning and the rest of the gang had never been away at all.Īfter a brief introduction, ‘Halfway Home’ makes for a triumphant start to their new album.

It was a soaring number filled with open chords, massive harmonies and open chords. Seven years after the release of ‘Forgiveness Rock Record’, all the original members of Canadian collective Broken Social Scene, alongside new guest vocalist Ariel Engle, emerged with ‘Halfway Home’.

Broken social scene hug of thunder review