Cabin In The Sky is a rollercoaster of an album that reveals its depth over repeated listens. Yes, at heart it is a eulogy for fallen loved ones, but it is also an existential crisis wrapped up in phenomenal guest appearances and carefully selected samples.
In the streaming age many records are front-loaded to cater to short attention spans, so Tranquilizer deserves kudos for placing two of its most interesting tracks at the end.
If there’s a weakness that prevents this record from reaching the heights of his previous works, it’s that Danny doesn’t always know what to do over these pumping, otherworldly productions (particularly the lesser underscores collaboration Baby) but it’s hugely encouraging to see the rapper engaging with younger generations, sounding lively and charismatic 15 years in.
It may not be quite up there with the band’s classic ’90s releases, but there’s enough quality on display to reassess Dando’s ‘poster boy of grunge turned heroin casualty’ reputation.
Is it a rewarding listen? Most definitely. It will take time to fully get to grips with everything that the album has to offer, such is the breadth and depth of Iconoclasts. Its importance lies in its central message, which is (possibly) that healing is possible, even when it doesn’t seem to be. It’s a stunning achievement and quite possibly the album of the year.
While Lux is certainly accessible, it’s also a challenging listen. The fact that it sounds like nothing else may put some people off straight away. Yet for those willing to fully immerse themselves in its overwhelming sweep, the reward is likely to be a dizzying, unmatchable experience which cements Rosalía as one of the most visionary artists working today.
A Bridge To Far shows them to be masters of their craft, comfortable in their own mini-world while incrementally improving their sound and consolidating their legacy.
While it may lack the instant hooks of her earlier work, and take a bit more time to sink in, once it has its emotional hooks in you, you’ll be hard pressed to stop listening to it.
