Without a doubt, the greatest thing about the album is the eclecticism and production throughout. As previously mentioned, the influence from gospels and spirituals adds a ton of texture and distinct rhythms to the aggressive sound of the music, which also consistently makes for an energetic album, bursting with potential and flavors. Opening track "Rice" immediately brings you in with its distorted percussion and walls of vocals and softer rhythms - did I mention that something about this song is incredibly catchy? The hook on this song is incredibly distinct, and it compliments the slight simplicity of the lyrics. While not all of the album's moments go as hard as the opener, more than a few certainly do such as the chaotic build of "Geronimo" which also has a great refrain - plenty of songs on Heavy Heavy play like a bizarre, aggressive take on pop music, and I'm all here for it. This dense production style is a hallmark of the album, and sometimes I begin to think the more aggressive the song is here, the better it gets - "Holy Moly" has a driving bass throughout that, when coupled with the fast-paced drumming, makes it one of the album's most immediately galvanizing moments.
In spite of the incredibly angry sound throughout the album, some of the moments are truly uplifting and beautiful. "Ululation" is a hopeful affirmation of joy and gratitude, sung in Shona by a friend of Young Fathers - it's one of the most triumphant moments on the entire album, and a brilliant example of the musical variety from the album. "Drum" is one of the most impactful moments, as well, as it's definitely the song with the most apparent gospel or spiritual influence on the album - Young Fathers member Alloysious Massaquoi described the song as "like a sermon," and I'm inclined to agree with his assessment - it's one of the most brilliant moments on the album, and its radical sound and ideas are executed brilliantly. "Tell Somebody" is pure energy, and is hands down the "biggest" sounding moment on the album - building synths and pounding drums also emphasize the influence of gospel music. It's not all infallible, though I wish it was - "Sink or Swim" is a little rocky, but is ultimately a little saved by the continuously brilliant production. Closing track "Be Your Lady" is still uncertain territory for me - it is by far the most off-the-wall thing on the album, and yet there's something appealing about it. "Be Your Lady" also forms a perfect loop back into opening track "Rice," so that you can immediately listen to the album again once it's finished...
...As you should. Heavy Heavy is by far one of the most aggressive, distinct, and hooky albums to come out of the year so far. Young Fathers' bold fusion of multiple different ideas and genres comes together cohesively throughout a stellar album that's one killer moment after the next. It's an anthemic and often powerful album that continues on a string of strong releases that have come out of this year, and I'll be damned if it isn't quite possibly the best of the bunch yet. One of a rare few "must-hear" albums to come out so far, and to discover it is a reward in it of itself - listening to it is the other half of the prize.
RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Listen to Heavy Heavy.
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