REVIEW: Post Tropical - James Vincent Mcmorrow

Post Tropical - James Vincent Mcmorrow 

After more than a three year silence James Vincent Mcmorrow has drifted back into our ear drums, perfectly in time for our back-to-seminar-reading playlists. JVM's earlier album, 'Early in the Morning,' reflected the folk trends of 2011, when Mumford and Son's dominated all radio stations. Post Tropical has cleverly managed to keep up with the musical fashion and has incorporated electro elements into the 10 track LP. Mcmorrow's music is vulnerable to accusations of pleasing the masses however, JVM's ability to marry the two genres is truly unique. Accompanied by his soft, Irish infused vocals, the sound of Post Tropical is ingeniously his own.

'Cavalier' the opening track is a perfectly crafted story of a first love. We are introduced to heavy prolonged synth notes teamed with brassy horns and syncopated hand claps. JVM's experimental nature of his new album is daringly introduced as soon as the listener hits play. His haunting vocals are similar to his previous musical endeavours however as he breaks into the electro genre they resemble James Blake and Bon Iver. The cinematic synth feel dramatises Mcmorrow's romantic lyrics "I remember my first love." 

'Red Dust', the teasing single released in early December made fan's anticipation for Mcmorrow's new album next level crazy. With JVM's new sound out in vast open world of the internet advent calendars quickly became a countdown to release day rather than their usual function. 'Red Dust' is layered with an R&B beat, minimalist electronic drum pulses, piano chords and a breathy falsetto.

The interesting array of instruments allows each song to have its own individuality. The low woody clarinet that brings 'All Points' to an end, the country guitars featured in 'The Lakes' add an interesting depth to the song and the climaxing notes of 'Glacier's' horns all contribute to a versatile mixture of JVM's talents. However different, no tracks seem to stand out as striking as Red Dust. Mcmorrow's first album and debut EP offered some obviously infectious singles. Post Tropical lacks these striking 'one off' songs and has a more fluid song throughout contributing to one flowing sound. Although the instruments may vary the icy, soothing sound remains constant throughout the 10 tracks, encapsulating Mcmorrow's distinct sound.

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