BLEACHERS
Bleachers (Dirty Hit)
Jack Antonoff is a one-in-a-generation type of artist – musician, songwriter and studio whiz, he’s worked artists like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and The 1975 to name only three, and recently received his fifth ‘best non-classical producer’ Grammy, the most for a single artist in history of the award. Bleachers is Antonoff’s third band; this self-titled album is the fourth in their discography, and nobody sounds quite like them.
Yes, it is mostly synthpop with the addition of sax and (lovely) guitar melodies, but the overall band sound is absolutely their own and instantly recognisable. It is experimental, perhaps, but self-assured, and their reputation as a live act goes before them, it seems: this month’s UK tour sold out in less than a day, with extra dates added and some venues upgraded.
Bleachers is fun, full of energy, with honest lyrics that don’t try too hard – a perfect album to accompany a road trip, pre-drinks or heartbreak. Antonoff’s dulcet tones combine with irresistible melodies on fizzy, already popular singles like Modern Girl through to beautiful ballads such as Isimo and Lana Del Rey feature Alma Mater. Jesus Is Dead could have graced a late-00s movie soundtrack, and further breathtaking moments arrive with the beautiful guitar production on Woke Up Today and We Are Going To Know Each Other Forever, whose sadness and beauty is heartwrenching. It’s exciting to live in a world with Bleachers in it.
words GOSIA BUZZANCA
