Lowlek Album Review
Words by Anna Mac.
Lowlek are an Alternative-Rock band from Cork City. Existing originally as an anonymous solo outfit, the now six-piece band have evolved hugely in recent years. With an eclectic musical style they draw on elements of synthpop, psych, rockabilly, and crooner ballads, with an emphasis on effects and lo-fi synth sounds.
They pride themselves on their unique visual style, with in-house audio-visual elements playing a large part in their live set. Lowlek have made regular appearances on the Irish festival circuit, having played Castlepalooza, Knockanstockan, Vantastival, and 2018 and 2019's Body & Soul.
Lowlek’s second album Unsubtle is a gorgeous arrangement of lo-fi rock, sweet vocals and a stellar signature synth sound. The album opens with soft synth keys accompanied by muffled vocals and beautiful strings, with the intro setting the serene tone for the album. Below is a track by track breakdown of the album, which is an overall very pleasant listening experience, with frequent bops that makes you wish you were at a festival surrounded by your friends and rocking out.
Lowlek’s single from the album Sink In is the second track on the album, and with stunning vocals and gorgeous harmonies, it is a belter. With its slower tempo accompanied by guitar, it is excellently arranged and has a super clean, but still very full and rich sound.
Sold Myself Out is next up, with a groovy bass line and clean funky beat. The distorted vocals and synth sounds give the song very funky 80s vibes. Apart from the excellent instrumentation, stellar vocals are supplied.
Single Bed (Solemn) features a distinctive sound, developed from the synth, that gives the songs an extra funk. The music video is class, with an animated floating head sailing past different figures on a pink and green path. Would definitely recommend a watch, for some sick visuals.
The fifth track on the album is Again, and to me, it is a stand out track and a personal favourite. It was released as a single, and rightly so - the bass line with distorted guitar along with the incredibly catchy signature Lowlek synth motif make it a funky banger that you would love to hear in any setting.
Cautionary Tale is full of soft vocals that are almost at a whisper and surge of emotion. It is beautifully arranged with a gorgeous synth solo that’s chime-like and has a general feeling of emotion and softness. In the background, if you listen very closely, there are very subtle strings that add to the serene atmosphere.
Some Way Out brings the iconic synth back once again, with an incredible arrangement and stunning vocals. You can’t help but but head bop a little bit, which for me makes it another stand out track. Synth chords along with the beat of the drums keep the rhythm, with little melodic synth motifs here and there.
Disarray has a sickeningly good beat that you’d love to hear walking into a tent at a festival. The guitar mirrors the melody and often harmonises with the vocals, and overall it is instrumentally unreal, giving the band the opportunity to show off their skills as musicians.
The penultimate track Keep It Up features another sick beat, and this track is a bop. It is super energetic with brilliant melodic vocals, and one can’t help but sing along to the chorus. It evokes inspiration and would make you want to accomplish something in your day.
Last but definitely not least is the title track of the album, Unsubtle. The track begins with acapella vocals only accompanied by a drum beat, with the bass leading into more instruments being introduced. With a distorted guitar motif appearing throughout the song, it is clear that Lowlek have hit the nail on the head of the lo-fi rock genre.
In their own words, the album is ‘a lockdown labour whose recording began last March. This LP moves away from the Art Rock and experimental stylings of the previous album, and more into the territory of Lofi Rock and Synthpop. The instrumentation is split between acoustic drums/percussion and drum machines/samples, with heavy use of vintage synths and effects washed guitar throughout.’
With soft vocals, signature synth sounds, and extremely clean drums that tie it all together, Lowlek’s album Unsubtle is exactly what the Irish music scene is missing.
Lowlek will be releasing their 2nd album, entitled 'Unsubtle', for streaming and purchase on Bandcamp ( https://lowlek.bandcamp.com/) on Friday the 2th of April, and for streaming on Spotify and iTunes on Friday the 9th of April.
Pre-save the album on Spotify here : https://show.co/WbLiMHm
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/LowlekBand
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/lowlekband/
