New York natives The Walkmen feel like their most recent record is more carefully constructed this time around, and upon listening it’s clear that they have succeeded in their conscious effort to achieve this.
The album features guest appearances from Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold, as well as being produced by notorious indie-rock producer Phil Ek (who has worked with the likes of The Shins, Modest Mouse and Band of Horses). Despite the pedigree, Heaven is nothing revolutionary at first glance.
Instead, it steers fairly closely towards what Rhe Walkmen have produced from the get-go. The strength of this album therefore lies in its competency and quality, drawing on the strengths of simple songwriting reinforced by the cohesive nature of the band.
The record also has a not insignificant degree of darkness to it, which helps to affirm the subtle but heartfelt landscape of the record, with Hamilton Leithauser’s rasping, whining vocal epithets rendering an emotionally charged atmosphere of tracks such as ‘The Witch’, perfectly underpinned by by a snare-shuffle waltz and Paul Maroon’s glassy guitar lines.
At no point will this record grab you by the collar, shaking a response at the point of a knife, but then that’s the overall charm. Appreciation of the group’s subtleties is what spelled their success in the past, and continues to do so on Heaven, which turns out to be a slow-burning offering that comfortably provides just enough light.
-Morgan Benson
