The Last Exit
Wrecking Light, 2021
8/10
This is the 5th album from Still Corners, which is the duo of Tessa Murray and Greg Hughes, and the effort has the pair mixing their desert noir ideas with dreamy moments and strategic electronica as they explore the open road with their adventurous song craft.
The title track starts the listen with warm acoustic guitars as Murray’s pretty, inviting vocals steer the light and dreamy setting, and “Crying” follows with a calm buzzing as gentle electronica flows alongside whistling.
As we approach the middle, “A Kiss Before Dying” recruits a darker quality as keys and plenty of atmosphere complement the timeless folk sensibilities, while “Bad Town” leads with playful ambience before turning into a campfire-esque strummer with mysterious vocals. “Static”, the pair’s best track, then displays soothing guitar lines, crisp percussion and some mild psychedelia alongside an atypical form of Americana.
“Shifting Dunes” and “Old Arcade” bookend the listen, as the former blend a hazy and dynamic execution of beauty and restraint into an ethereal climate, and the latter exits bare and sublime, where traces of Mazzy Star are present and appreciated amid the intimacy.
Still Corners have already explored many genres in their previous albums, and now over a decade into their career they’re proving they’re still at the top of their game with this perfect road trip album.
Travels well with: Kidbug- Kidbug; Pure Bathing Culture- Moonshine