Photo:
Warning: Unless prescription drugs and a padded room are readily available, those of a nervous disposition might want to approach Archie Bronson Outfit’s third album with a degree of conservative caution. OK, so prescription drugs and padded rooms are excessive precautions to take but produced by DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy (LCD Soundsystem, Massive Attack, The Rapture) ‘Coconut’, the London based three-piece’s first release in nearly four years is one hell of a return to grace.
Claustrophobic, paranoid and anxious ‘Magnetic Warrior’ provides a discordant insight into the twitchy mindset of Sam Windett, Dorian Hobday and Arp Cleveland; an incessant hallucinogen of ominous foreboding that spreads throughout the layered uncertainty of ‘Shark’s Tooth’ and into the dominant bass and sketchy vocal unease of the dance floor friendly ‘Hoola’.
Succeeding where many fail, Archie Bronson Outfit ooze an edgy atmospheric authenticity that’s largely centred on a deconstructed cacophony of fucked up primal loops and relentless distortion. The music feels real, addictive and nightmarish; ‘Wild Strawberries’ sounds something akin to being chased by a stylus while trapped in a record groove, the wonderfully titled, double A-side esque ‘You Have a Right To A Mountain Life / One Up On Yourself’ like a shambolic exorcism of the soul and ‘Harness (Bliss)’ a white knuckle ride that threatens to bring an already fragile band / listener relationship to an uncertain end.
But despite an established theme and signature production sound ‘Coconut’ is far from a one trick pony. The comparatively mellow and infectious synth pop of ‘Chunk’ not only signals a welcome change of pace but allows the listener to take a breath while the band regroup for the lolloping, definable quiver of an emotionally affected ‘Bite It & Believe It’ alongside the beautifully crafted word play of ‘Hunt You Down’.
That said, in mind and despite the foot stomping, hand clapping, round the campfire feel of album closer ‘Run Gospel Singer’, give it half a chance and less of an excuse and ‘Coconut’ will happily run riotous rings around your consciousness until forcibly removed.
.jpg)
