REVIEW: XO – ‘Heart’

Artist: XO
Album: Heart
Genre: Shoegaze
Label: Rory Records/Equal Vision Records

While Say Anything has been quietly recording their new album, Jake and Jeff Turner have taken the time off of touring to write and release a new album under their poppy lo-fi shoegaze project, XO. Released through Say Anything frontman Max Bemis’s Rory Records, Heart is sure to turn some heads in their direction. The record is easy to follow while maintaining a sense of depth that makes the listener appreciate it more with each listen.

After a brief instrumental intro, Heart kicks off with “Waste,” setting the pace of the record. The splashy cymbals and mellow chord progressions begin to paint an atmosphere that defines Heart; the record bounces along, delivering easy to digest jams for its entire eleven track run-time. While keeping a familiar sound, the record never feels monotonous or overdone. Each song has its own flavor, dictated by a perfectly placed twinkly riff or some atmospheric bongo drums to set each song apart. True to its name, “Coast” conjures a Best Coast reminiscent beach vibe, while the verses in the subsequent “Death” use a heavily distorted lead guitar and a constant drum-machine register to create a sense of daunting urgency. “Never” is significantly heavier than anything else on the record before slipping into one of the best emo songs in recent memory, building with each movement and finally releasing with the title track closer.

I’ve listened to the album through a variety of different speakers, and without question, headphones are the best way to get the full experience. The record relies on full immersion in the ambient atmosphere it creates to ensure that the listener can pick apart the intricacies of the tracks and give it the attention it needs. That being said, it’s just as easy to put on and jam to, the songs are as light and fun as they are deep. I’ve yet to listen to the album on vinyl, but it seems like the record was written for the format. Heart demands to be played loud and deserves undivided attention; it’s worth it.

As much as I love the album, I strongly believe that it was released in the wrong season. I can’t wait to play this album through my car stereo with the windows down. Heart is far too warm for the dreary polar vortex. Hopefully the band stays active enough to tour this record in the summer before Say Anything returns with a rigorous touring schedule.

In the early months of 2014, Heart is sure to catch listeners by surprise. Don’t be fooled by the “side project” label; Heart is a deep and thought-provoking record that doesn’t sacrifice melody to the cause of originality.

Score: 9/10
Review written by John Bazley (Twitter)

Stream Heart in full at Bandcamp.

John Bazley
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