Low Island – avian species

      Man versus Machine. What once appeared to be a concept from science fiction has now become our reality. Whether it’s the growing presence of AI in every facet of our lives or the overpowering influence of social media on our interactions, the digital realm increasingly merges with our human essence. This intricate relationship serves as the foundation for the third album from the Oxford DIY electro-rock band, Low Island.

      In their second album, ‘Life In Miniature,’ Low Island transformed sorrow and new beginnings into a beautifully woven tapestry of intricately crafted indie pop. Now, three years later, with their follow-up ‘bird,’ they continue to explore life’s challenges—change, impermanence, and loss—but this time through the perspective of today’s more automated and fragmented world. Although this may suggest a heavy listening experience, the core theme of the album is one of liberation: freedom.

      As indicated by its title, ‘bird’ symbolizes Low Island stepping away from their devices and screens, emerging on the other side with a deeper connection to themselves and each other. While it may be a concept album born from digitalization, the emotions and narratives central to it are profoundly human. This commitment is evident in the album's creation, with the band opting for a live performance approach in the studio, guided by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, who shaped the guitar sounds and managed production. The outcome is an album that captivates from beginning to end, showcasing Low Island's ability to oscillate from bold and intense to poignantly tender.

      The track ‘only you’ begins with a sense of foreboding, as acoustic guitars gradually break through the static glitches, building momentum before culminating in an explosive finale. The lead single ‘spit it out’ channels the dramatic energy of Radiohead’s ‘Bodysnatchers,’ as frontman and lyricist Carlos Posada expresses feelings of suffocation induced by technology. This electric opener transitions into ‘this is water,’ which offers a striking sonic contrast to the preceding tracks. It’s a beautiful reflection on looking beyond daily distractions, with Posada’s voice effortlessly gliding over Jamie Jay's subtle and understated synth layers.

      The initial sequence captures the eclectic spirit that Low Island embodies, with ‘once in a while’ bringing back energy through tightly played, rapid drums by Felix Higginbottom and Posada’s anguished cries of “life goes by so fast… the end will come for us all.” ‘great dream’ features richly layered guitars, while the sparse, distorted vocals of ‘follow your direction’ blur the lines between the artificial and the authentic, mirroring the Google Chatbot transcript that inspired the song.

      Another standout track, ‘machine lover,’ is built on a playful groove reminiscent of Hot Chip, though it carries a darker message as it delves into the dynamics of Chatbot relationships. Following this, ‘little bird’ serves as the album's spiritual title track, offering a gentle and liberating melody, complemented by the stripped-back, earthy textures of ‘mind’s eye.’ This marks a notable shift in sound as the album progresses, encouraging the listener to feel as if they've also escaped their digital confines and are grounded in reality. The closing track ‘stop the morning traffic’ reinforces this sentiment, with synths fluttering like bird wings and the song's steady acceleration evoking the sound of cars rapidly coming to a halt.

      With ‘bird,’ Low Island has produced a sonically daring and thematically ambitious album for the digital era. While addressing humanity’s disconnection through the AI technology we have created, they ground the music in something much more essential: human emotion. Complex, evocative, and remarkably cathartic, this album showcases Low Island truly beginning to spread their wings and soar.

      8/10

      Words: Karl Blakesley