Waiting Drum
King Electric, 2020
8/10
An Austin, Texas quintet with an affinity for sonically engaging pop-influenced songs, Royal Forest have recorded albums in some pretty unusual places, and this time it was an 80 year old farmhouse in Arkansas.
“Every Other Bird” starts the listen with buzzing synth and a dense beat as warm bass lines enter dreamy affair, and this theme continues to the playful, soulful indie-pop of “Sometimes”, as well as the highly melodic “Can’t Be Happening”.
The back half of the listen offers the dance friendly, Brazilian beat savvy “Memories Thinning”, while “Featherweight” uses synthetic percussion strategically as precise guitar work anchors the thoughtful climate. “Mourning State” exits the listen on a high note, as cautious yet adventurous songwriting meets at a very stylish intersection of pop and indie-rock and certainly doesn’t shy away from World Music ideas, either.
Recorded to tape in just 2 days, although the band was closer to country sounds on previous albums, this superbly rhythmic and electronic fueled outing references West African and Brazilian songwriting as Royal Forest bring us on an exciting journey through their very creative song craft.
Travels well with: Abram Shook- Love At Low Speed; Ski Lodge- Big Heart