After doing some research, I have uncovered the following: Lower Dens is fronted by Baltimore-via-Texas songstress Jana Hunter, who also has some solo releases on freak folkie Devendra Banhart's label Gnomonsong. This new band leaves behind the stripped away acoustic balladry in favor of this elegantly understated collection of basement tracks. These dank, echoing songs barely fill the listening space, but command your attention based on the insistent guitar twangs and plaintive vocals of Hunter pushing through the mix. Her voice invokes the style of varied female indie artists depending on the needs of the song. At times she is like PJ Harvey at her most restlessly tense, in others she is Cat Power's Chan Marshall far removed torch singer then she is like Victoria Legrand of Beach House's deeply woven inflections. It is apparent that Jana Hunter does what is necessary to make her point felt.
The album's eleven tracks are essentially restrained expressions that never goes for the big finish. Lower Dens' techniques prefer that the listener pays attention throughout the song's entirety, sliding in the interesting moments and turning a phrase without calling attention. Starting with the throbbing bass of "Blue & Silver", the track slinks along keeping pace with the dreamy vocals until the guitars crash in to break up the sleepiness. "Tea Lights" is EVOL-era Sonic Youth at the most barebones, propped up by guitar stabs to keep the whole song from imploding. First single "I Get Nervous" is an introverted drifter accented with gauzy shoegaze synth and lyrics delivered on a whisper. At the end with "Hospice Gates" and "Two Cocks", Lower Dens stretch their legs for their versions of pop music with the latter almost a delighted finale to a stirring first full length.
Purchase Lower Dens Twin-Hand Movement here.
Lower Dens - Blue & Silver
Lower Dens - Hospice Gates
Lower Dens - Two Cocks
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