Land of Talk - “Weight of That Weekend”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Jenny Lewis, Local Natives, Laura Gibson

Canadian band Land of Talk have one of the warmest sounds in the indie rock genre, finding charm and comfort across their three LPs and “Weight of That Weekend”, the first single from Land of Talk’s upcoming release Indistinct Conversations. A continuation of the band’s grunge-meets-alt-country sound, “Weight of That Weekend” is breezy and welcoming, the type of song that sounds familiar before even getting through the first verse. Full but with a surgeon’s patience, Land of Talk balance levity and density in a way that hits emotionally, less a punch and more a realization. Their last record Life After Youth came after a seven-year gap since 2010 sophomore release Cloak And Cipher, a record maturely crafted and sweetly abstract, dreamy but grounded in intention and growth. While much of Land of Talk’s music floats steadily, there is some kick in songs like “This Time” and “Some Are Lakes” from their debut full-length of the same name that would have added some vibrancy to Land of Talk’s could-have-been SXSW set. Hopefully they are able to reschedule their May tour assuming we are still locked down by then, a chance to hear the rest of Indistinct Conversations live after its release on May 15. (Kevin McStravick)