Labels: Better Looking
Review by: Nadia Almashoor
Just when you thought Knapsack was no more Blair Shehan emerges with an entirely different cast. Wobbling our knees and melting our hearts with his angelic croons of love and melancholy. So maybe it’s unwise to say The Jealous Sound is the new Knapsack and that definitely doesn’t do justice at all. But when ‘What’s Wrong Is Everywhere’ immediately rushes in with those epic riffs and those ever distinct vocals, how can one not make the comparison. Comparisons aside, is it good? Oh hell…yeah.
It’s the same deal we get from our favourite pop bands like Promise Ring and Braid and No Knife. (And of course Knapsack) Ingenious songwriting, the singalong choruses, melodic rhythms with that poppy beat but yet powerful and emotionally driven to the edge. Second track ‘Priceless’ proves this when it breaks into distant distortion which echoes upon each other, providing a more ‘rock’-ing feel. ‘Bitter Strings’ mellow it down and the synthesizers in the background are more audible without sounding cheesy. ‘Quiet Life’ bounces off on a totally different pace, with piano throughout, to increase the tempo of the song. And to end it off is ‘Anxious Arms’ (a personal favourite), which starts off low with twinkly riffs and then drums sifting in and Shehan still whispering pretty words until the distortion kicks it’s way into the entrance and he urgently pounds into the chorus “…when there’s no one else…won’t you be my answer then…won’t you be my answer…” and girls like me with broken hearts will sink hopelessly on our beds of blue sheets and pillows…sighing.
You fell in love with Knapsack. Now fall in love with The Jealous Sound.