The Art Of Pretending To Swim
Domino, 2018
9/10
An indie-rock outfit from Dublin that’s spearheaded by Conor O’Brien, this 4th studio album from Villagers has the band expanding their wings by using samples, synth and synthetic drumming while bringing in several guests to help texture the very cautious landscape.
The 9 track album leads with the instantly inviting “Again”, where soft vocals and warm guitars help the tune build into a unique version of alt-rock, and “A Trick Of The Light” follows with a soulful approach of soothing instrumentation to the reflective, groove friendly climate.
Near the middle, “Long Time Waiting” recruits some indie-pop ideas amid the playful, gritty delivery that displays Siobhan Kane’s pipes, while “Fool” benefits greatly from deft percussion alongside charming textures and the best chorus present. “Love Came With All That It Brings”, the album’s best tune, then takes a darker turn into hypnotic territory that’s immediately gripping.
The final 2 tracks, “Hold Me Down” and “Ada”, impress us too, as the former moves with a bare, breathy quality alongside stirring strings, and the latter exits with much beauty present in an elegant, slow burning setting where the pace picks up with swift guitars and synth near the finish.
O’Brien penned this album in a cozy attic room, and it’s certainly a highlight in the Villagers catalog while easily following suit to some of the best music the always impressive Domino label has released. Heavy on rhythm and groove, this is a much different Villagers than we might be used to, and we’re all better off for it.
Travels well with: Owen- Ghost Town; Damien Jurado- In The Shape Of A Storm