I guess you would call Black Midi’s Schlagenheim math rock? Maybe noise rock? I am never sure where the genres cross over and become something else. Let’s just say it has a lot going on. They are kind of somewhere in between the howling fury of The Jesus Lizard and atmospheric chant rock of Alt-J with an ever present undercurrent of Don Caballero. They play fast, well, and loud with tons of percussive elements and tons of atmospheric changes in tempo. The first time I listened to the record I thought there were barely any lyrics, but maybe the third time through I realized the songs had full sets of lyrics when them some with actual semi-stories to them. I am not sure the lyrics matter that much, they seem more like an addition of an instruments to the mix than a necessary element, but they are present. The vocals are well done, but they are definitely secondary to the music. To describe it in terms of how you would listen to it I would say you would take a walk and listen to something else and then reach a park bench and sit down and watch the world go by and listen to this. It doesn’t make you want to move as much as ponder. This not a style of record I would typically recommend to people, but it is definitely one of the best records of 2019 to me and I think people who might not normally enjoy math rock/noise rock might like it. Some people might find not find enough melody or emotional engagement, but to certain listeners it is relaxing (almost) and compelling. I think the phrase that describes the record to me most to is thought provoking. It sends my mind off on tangents. It is music that makes you neither want to dance or sing along which is sometimes very welcome in life.
–BeardedRiffRaff
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