Knifeplay - “Promise”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Horsegirl, Sigur Ros, Wednesday

Immersive and moving, Knifeplay’s sophomore record Animal Drowning is both melancholy and grand, an intricately crafted piece and one of dynamic effort and execution. To move back and forth from vulnerable bedroom rock and symphonic post rock within individual songs is impressive and Knifeplay make it sound natural, even expected. The quieter moments of Animal Drowning hold as much tension as their layered, fuller times, a quality that keeps their shifting measures working in tight congress. That balance of dreamy and heavy creates a powerful tone, like shoegaze with precision. By concurrently exploring segments of vulnerability, it makes the bigger moments of Animal Drowning sound outright epic, soundscapes, feedback, and reverb combining in soul-stirring codas. The Philadelphia band has managed a sound best described as dense dream-pop/rock, one that should be enrapturing live as it is on this too under-the-radar record from last year. (Kevin McStravick)