After almost three years of relative silence, alt-J has released two new singles, and they’re sure to please fans.
The popular English indie rock band garnered a considerable following with their two previous albums and successful singles. They debuted two songs this month to promote their forthcoming album, “Relaxer.”
The songs come after two years of relative silence from the band that left fans wondering what was next for the group’s brand of hazy, mysterious rock. They display a recognizable but highly exploratory style that leaves a sense of anticipation for the new record (as well as some trippy music videos).
“3WW,” (short for “three worn words”) released March 5, showcases the biggest departure from alt-J’s previous sound. A calm, rambling journey, it is episodic in form, with recurring sections as well as themes that are frequently changing and no recognizable verse-chorus structure.
After a sparse, extended intro, it moves into a tale of a “wayward lad” with a medieval sounding melody reminiscent of British classic rock. This attempt at Led Zeppelin-esque balladry was initially worrisome as it is so cheesy when done improperly, but this fear was quickly extinguished by the band’s creativity.
Lyrically, the song becomes a genuine, provocative exploration of different viewpoints on love: the narrator’s disillusionment with the “three worn words” referred to in the title and his two lovers’ belief that “love was just a button we pressed by the campfire.”
Musically, it’s a colorful display of timbres both ominous and hopeful, with new harmonies and instruments constantly being added to the persisting guitar drone and cavernous bass. Headphones are definitely recommended.
The second single, “In Cold Blood,” released March 29, displays promise for the opposite, extroverted side of the album. It’s much more active and boisterous with a horn section and very present guitar, organ and heavy drums.
Though quite different from “3WW,” it’s also heavily influenced by classic rock, as it’s driven by tightly structured riffs and an excellent backbeat groove.
The song’s repetition works against it though, with the outro somehow coming off more meandering than “3WW.” With the nasal voice and whimsical “zero-one-one” lyrics in the intro, it’s also unfortunately but hilariously close to the well-known parody of the band’s music on YouTube.
Both singles display a promising future for alt-J. Stay tuned for “Relaxer,” which drops June 9, and their summer tour featuring an Aug. 7 appearance at Red Rocks.
More info on both singles and free streaming of the two singles can be found on the band’s website.
