Recommended Tracks: “Nothing I Need”, “Bag Of Bones”, “Life Is Strange”
Artists You May Like: The Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, Young The Giant
The fitting title of Lord Huron‘s newest release, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, perfectly foreshadows the theme and tone of the band’s fifth album, with ethereal melodies accompanying the ever-present existentialism of the lyrics. Full of Western charm and an indie sound, the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Ben Schneider has led Lord Huron for over 10 years now, with standout hit “The Night We Met” amassing over 3 billion streams on Spotify since its release in 2015.
From the beautiful acoustic melodies showcased on opening track “Looking Back” to the pulsing, intense beats of “Who Laughs Last” and the light-on-your-feet feeling that “Fire Eternal” brings, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 reels listeners in and doesn’t let go. It keeps listeners engaged with the storytelling not only through the introspective lyricism, but through the intense feelings the tone of each track bring. This album does a great job of sticking to what Lord Huron traditionally delivers, encapsulating a bold, memorable, imaginative sound. And all this while standing out from the rest by sweeping through a range of emotions both high and low, seeming to often come back to the questioning of self-concept and what-ifs.
The entirety of The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 is a story in and of itself, and opening this story is the artful ballad “Looking Back.” Reflective and full of all-encompassing doubt, our narrator seems to be rooted in nostalgia, almost as if his past actions don’t match his present self, whom he is still trying to find anywhere but within. He turns to a higher power above, substances like alcohol, or depends on someone else to define his image and overall worth.
Another highlight of the album, “Bag of Bones” brings forth an ethereal opening of a smooth, soft rock sound, exploring similar themes wherein the self-doubt turns to self-loathing, exemplified by lyrics like, “You can kiss my worthless ass goodbye / I doubt that it’s been nice to know me,” implying that our narrator is nothing but a bag of bones — soulless and clearly lost in himself.
Turning next to the standout single, “Nothing I Need” was released in tandem with the accompanying music video earlier this year. The banjo and steel guitar shine bright, making for a playful, upbeat feel, while the lyrics’ tone is quite the opposite: full of regret. It ponders the potential of the actions that weren’t taken, and asks if it ever was possible in the first place to know what was best at the time.
“Is There Anybody Out There” is sorrowful both sonically and lyrically, falling in line with the previous songs giving it a soft, harmonious, wandering feel. The narrator seems to be giving up hope for finding what’s meant for him, although he does indeed want it. This is juxtaposed by the following “Who Laughs Last” with Kristin Stewart, with the psychedelic tone feeling a bit manic, and definitely pulling away from the smooth sound the rest of the album presents. “The Comedian” feels like a comedown from this episode, as if this moment is a lower low, and all that is left of our narrator is the happiness of the past, because now he is just surviving rather than living.
Rounding out the album with the soft wispiness of “Life is Strange,” the longing in Schneider’s voice is ever-present, and thankfully, so is the acceptance of himself, the actions he’s chosen, and the unpredictability of life. Overall, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 presents listeners with a piece that is authentically Lord Huron through and through, with smooth emotionality proving extremely pleasing to listen to.
Listen to The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 here:
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