Omens
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
Brooklyn outfit Futurist describe their sound as ‘future-classic’, which might seem like a contradiction, though it sounds about right when you consider their light vs. dark and minimal vs. busy approach on Omens.
“Slow Motion” gets the album off to an ambient and psyche-filled start, as a soulful and energetic version of alt-rock enters, and “Bad Air, Still Water” follows with a light and airy approach that builds into a lush expanse of meticulous delivery.
In the middle, “Olive Mountain” finds a more pop place to reside with charming restraint, while “All I Ever Wanted” brings a soothing spirit to their multifaceted skill.
Near the end, “Crazy Eights” recruits saxophones on the elegant soft-rocker, and “Born On Fire” picks up the pace into a percussively strong and bouncy setting to the anthemic, spacey highlight. “Behold! (Lullaby For The End Of Days)” ends the listen with abstract balladry the pushes and pulls with mysterious, graceful tension.
While they may have started their career immersed in indie-folk territory, these days Futurist have spread their wings into a mashing of many genres that fans of Pink Floyd and My Morning Jacket- and everywhere in between- will enjoy.
Travels well with: The Flaming Lips- Kings Mouth; Radiohead- In Rainbows