Album Review: Now, Now - Threads

Minneapolis natives Now, Now begin with an atmospheric mist of noise, soft vocals emerging slowly from the musical fog as the indie band begin to penetrate the ears of the listener. The beginning of new record, "Threads" is an ambient hook, line and sinker to the senses, a roll call for all those who will hear out their third album. Now, Now, send shivers down the listener’s spine with the emotionally loaded vocals and fog of melody that forms "The Pull", an aptly named introduction that does exactly what its name would suggest it should.

And as that mist fades and is replaced with drums and palm muted guitars, Now, Now welcome the listener into a forest glade filled with simple but effective guitar melodies, consistent rhythms and typical but reliable vocals that flow nicely from the "The Pull" into the cold winter’s night that forms the atmosphere of "Prehistoric", a song that is completed by the climactic entrance of fuzzy guitars and drum fills that lead to a beautifully crafted instrumental bridge and the finely tuned atmospheric rumbles that follow.

In stark contrast is fourth track "Dead Oaks" a cheerful song boasting faux-punk guitars against an indie backdrop of melodic lead guitar and drum beats which tease the song to leak through slowly, simply and in brief.

An 8-bit introduction to penultimate track "Wolf" brings the album almost full circle. A quirky and playful dance around the senses Now, Now stimulated with their introduction accumulating in a partially synthesized and highly atmospheric chorus that speaks to both originality and reliability at once. Striking a chord or two that round the album off with a satisfying and relaxing twist to the ears of the listener.

4/5

"Threads" is out March 6th through Trans Records.