If that title didn’t give it away, Tom Krell aka How To Dress Well’s new album isn’t the easiest one to listen to.
Taking its cues from RnB, pop, plus contemporary ambient and electronic music, Total Loss is an intimate, ethereal, and – on occasion – frustratingly confused listen.
Credit must be given to Krell for making an album this risky. Rather than possibly create a superficially hazy, introspective and dark electronic album, he has taken the current fashion in electronic music to its logical conclusion with an album that emphasises authenticity. Dealing with feelings of depression and loneliness all over crisp production, heavy on reverbed vocals and light on bass.
Indeed, he comes off as complex as ever on album highlight “Struggle”, sounding angry, sexy and more than a bit heartbroken.
Punchy synths and hyperactive syncopated rhythms struggle to be heard amongst his falsetto vocals as he sings: “You were there for me when I was in trouble/ you could understand for me life was a struggle.”
He can do groovy too, and channels Michael Jackson on the semi-a capella first half of “& It Was U” before a stuttering beat is introduced to make it the most dance-like moment on the record.
Elsewhere, on the beat-less “Talking To You”, Krell is accompanied by lush classical strings as his howling voice moves in and out of lyrics to truly heartbreaking effect.
However after promising starts, “Say My Name Or Say Whatever” and “Set It Right” feel like sketches of songs, revealing themselves to be one-dimensional, stilted and repetitive compared to the emotional highs achieved elsewhere.
More often than not though, Total Loss is an elegant and poignant ambient pop album, ideal for solitary listening and demonstrating a number of thrilling future directions for Krell.
