Portland – Outfit’s melancholy Slowness is a constantly evolving, whirlwind of sound. The band’s carefully produced second album is gaining recognition for its novelty in the alternative genre, both in uniqueness and its strength in conveying a very specific type of loneliness. Slowness is a quiet confrontation with distance, meant to fill the empty space with music that doesn’t overwhelm you, but soothes you instead. It isn’t all mellow however, the album is full of the unexpected—leads of simple piano that distort into gloomy chaos and vocals that aren’t at the forefront but fade and echo into the background. Outfit uses surprisingly jumpy instrumentals and melodic ambiance to create a stunningly new type of slowness that they want the listener to share in. Distance resonates on Slowness, and it does so effortlessly.
Outfit formed in 2011 in their native Liverpool. The stellar five-piece includes Andrew Hunt and Tom Gorton on vocals and synth, guitarist Nicholas Hunt, bassist Chris Hutchinson, and drummer/producer David Berger. Slowness is their follow-up to 2013’s Performance, an arguably more pop-centered album. Slowness’ diversion from an easier feel-good sound is a mark of the band’s willingness to experiment. Even the album title signaled that the band was taking a subtler, gloomier approach to their second release. Outfit is rapidly gaining praise and attention outside of their native UK. The highly anticipated release of Slowness is their opportunity to acquire even more fans worldwide. The album is intriguing and mysterious, which leaves a longer lasting affect on the listener.
Slowness is a mixture of the slow and calculated and a sort of distorted impulsivity. “Slowness” “Happy Birthday” and “Swam Out” rely on a softer introduction of minimal piano rather than the synth heavy preludes of “On The Water” and “Boy.” Each song is unique in its own composition, but the album strives to connect each piece, albeit from a safe distance. Even when “Slowness” reaches the height of its distortion, the listener is brought back to its neat beginning when the last few seconds revert back.
Outfit’s talent isn’t just in the tightly crafted framework, but also in the tone they have created. “Smart Thing” guides the listener through the feeling of being stifled: “I can hear somebody whispering / I pretend that I don’t / try to do the right thing / always do the wrong thing / Better do the smart thing.” In this way, “Smart Thing” recognizes the distance between what’s said and what’s thought. Slowness perfectly bounces between the two, struggling between silence and madness.
Slowness is Outfit’s most complicated work thus far, but they’ve never claimed to be uncomplicated. While Outfit took a darker turn on their sophomore release, it was the most creative move they could’ve made. The album is expertly produced, drawing comparisons to alternative pioneers Radiohead and the similarly trippy Clinic. The album is a spectacular homage to the distance we feel as human beings.
Slowness will be released via Memphis Industries June 15th. Follow Outfit ‘s current tour here.
Dakota Smith
Follow her on twitter in case she says something funny: @LikeTheStates
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