everything is alive

Slowdive

BY BIANCA LLERENA

Heavily electronically instrumental “everything is alive” is Slowdive’s first studio album to come out in six years. Ominous and just as equally creative, this album transitions from its previously love-related lyrics in their last album to more introspective ones: their third song “alife” saying, “We look, but we don’t understand/We try, but we don’t look around.” Filled with hints of metallic techno, the style of “shoegaze rock” that Slowdive is known for is the core of the album, deliberately meshing voices and instruments.

“everything is alive” was released on September 1st with eight songs, averaging out at almost five minutes per song. “shanty” opens up the album at 5 minutes and 42 seconds, setting the scene for obscure lyrics and long instrumentals. Following, “prayer remembered” and “the slab” are completely instrumental, both a calm and euphoric contemplative sound. Very gloomy, too.

Their songs contain a lot of overlap with one another which gives the album the feel of an emotional soundtrack. “everything is alive” is definitely an ideal album to play on a late-night drive. “andalucia plays,” the fourth song of the album, quiets the instruments down, letting Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswells’s voices be heard more clearly. This song contains the most lyrics than any other song within the album, with lyrics like “Andalucia/ Plays on the stereo/I dream like a butterfly/Perfect and temporary.” Overall, the melting of sound and voice keeps your ears guessing as Slowdive plays with the sonic art of shoegaze.