Chiaroscuro: in art, the bold opposition between light and dark.
In the case of I Break Horses, it’s the Swedish duo’s second
album, the titular notion manifesting in melancholic disco: all moody
atmospherics and glittering synths. And
as everybody knows, the best kind of pop music balances emotional lyrics with
upbeat production. It’s something the
Swedes do incredibly well – look no further than Robyn’s seminal Dancing On My Own.
That said, ‘Chiaroscuro’ is also the antithesis of the duo’s
debut, ‘Hearts’. If that album was full
of upbeat, dreamy shoegaze, then this is its nightmarish follow-up. Gone are the indie guitars of the first album in favour of
icy electronics, the sound less expansive but no less intricate. It certainly leans towards the darker
side of chiaroscuro, with its brooding production, abrasive beats and Maria Lindén’s
haunting vocals, her lyrics frequently obscured beneath rich textures as if
being swallowed up by the surrounding cacophony.
Still,
a minor key is no barrier for a pop aesthetic and the duo certainly flex that
muscle here. Faith may whir menacingly with its alien like melodies, but its
hooky bass doesn’t stray too far from the dancefloor. Even the darkest tracks like Berceuse and Disclosure are littered with sparkling light and memorable riffs; Ascension, by contrast, sounds
positively angelic. Denial and Weigh True Words are
the closest to true pop songs though - the former having a more laidback beat
and a soaring modulation in its final moments; the latter featuring clattering
percussive effects that lead into its expansive chorus. On the flipside, Medicine Brush and Heart To
Know have their merits but at seven minutes long stray too far into
shoegaze territory and outstay their welcome.
“Not
more Swedish melancholic disco” I hear you cry. In truth, ‘Chiaroscuro’ most closely resembles the work of Austra or Grimes – both of which are Canadian. Besides, there may be plenty of moody electronic music around, but I Break Horses are
very good at what they do – this album is not to be dismissed.
4/5
Gizzle’s
Choice:
* Faith
* Denial
* Weigh
True Words
Listen: 'Chiaroscuro' is available now.
