Misc. Day – Disappearing Trees

As the powerful, ominous synthesizers draw the listener in like Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Becoming an ever-pressing threat of the unknown, between synthetic and authentic melodies. Before the other instruments can even enter the scope and grandeur, these synths lay the groundwork for what could sculpt an unexpected adventure in Deerhunter’s 2015 epic, Fading Frontier.

There is something draining about the unknown that follows through music. Whether old loves or new endeavors, the first impressions are everything. Through explosive blasts, progressive hits, soft engagements, gentle touches; the first moments are vital. These four-seconds seem to last a lifetime before the acoustic guitars finally break the surface tension. It is detrimental to recognize the tone that engulfs Deerhunter. They are a wet, feverish dream that brands themselves entirely through these folk-influences, but modern aged solutions.

With the increased threats of digital eras, Fading Frontier has a physical depth to it. The record is an inviting forest of slithering intent and hopefulness. As explained quickly in the first track, “All The Same” has Bradford Cox describing “My home, anywhere. Expect no comfort save for air, take it anywhere. I could leave or I could stay, wouldn’t matter much to me.” As the instruments begin to rise and form more affluence in variety, the vocals stay a simple chord-verse structure that leaves more warmth than distance. Fading Frontier avoids the slick, straight-forward approach and desires more as a form of imaginative productions.

With the use of atmosphere and space on “Living My Life”, Deerhunter does much to deviate the performance. Fading Frontier continues to be an ever-shifting piece that shows little in a sense of following patterns. The little hidden gems of The Shining where minute, almost impossible to notice details create this larger than the screen setting, Deerhunter follows suite. They match with significant, but minor details that continue to breathe new life into the tracks even after 100-plus listens. In terms of technicality, Fading Frontier is a record with a personality, something that almost lives and breathes through more than just the speakers or headphones.

Deerhunter achieves what often most cannot. As the life cycle is counting down, Deerhunter stays up-beat and approachable. The details are what makes the album a collective of organs, Fading Frontier has feelings, it bleeds, it lives, and it dies.

Listen To Fading Frontier Here!!! – Spotify/Amazon/iTunes