Low, Drums and Guns

As you’ve no doubt been hearing, Low has recently been moving away from their trademark slowcore sound. Their previous record, The Great Destroyer, added distortion and rock elements, and their new record, Drums and Guns, moves into yet more uncharted territory, adding drum machines, keyboards, and samples. It’s not as loud as Destroyer was, but it’s no less intense of an experience.

Songwriting-wise, the band has returned from the sunnier melodic peak of Destroyer. The melodies here are in their usual, more melancholy style, which is appropriate given the subject matter (which, by the way, is not as political as the title implies). Despite the drum machines and samples, this is not their big pop move — the songs here are as desolate as the ones on their other records.

The best songs here are built around the most minimal beats — “Dragonfly” uses nothing more than looped feedback, and “Breaker” contains a basic beat, some handclaps, and a single-note organ drone. Songs with denser beats aren’t as successful; in “Take Your Time,” the denser beat doesn’t fit the vocal, and on “Murderer,” the vocal gets lost amid too much clutter. Which isn’t a surprise, since minimalism is what Low does best.

Most bands fourteen years into their careers aren’t making music that’s fresh and interesting. If they’re doing anything, they’re usually refining their sound. Low, however, has chosen a different tack — rather than rest on their laurels, now they’re beginning to explore the possibilities out there. It’d be inspiring even if it weren’t particularly successful, but they also made it into a successful record, which is even more impressive. If Drums and Guns is any sign, they’re just getting started.