After the surprising success of their last album Bita Orca, the Dirty Projectors are back with their latest album Swing Lo Magellan. A album that seems to follow in the tradition of every other DP album before; angular and intricate guitar leads backed by harmonized vocals and oft times inscrutable song structures.
But aside from a few exceptions, Swing Lo Magellan is actually the bands most straightforward and instantaneous album yet, in my opinion at least. Whereas I found myself growing bored with a good chunk of the material on Bita Orca; Magellan just has such a great flow and sense of melody, that I can't help but be entranced.
The album starts of with the track "Offspring Are Blank" which is probably the most "Orca" like track on here; but only until it busts out in a loud guitar in the chorus. The following track "About To Die" is where things really take off for me, the drum beat that starts the song is just so odd and the chorus on this song is fantastic.
The tracks "Gun Has No Trigger" and the title track are standouts as well; the latter taking on an almost Velvet Underground sound and mood. And "Gun Has No Trigger" has some of the darkest lyrics on the album. The whole album just has a very oddball, yet approachable vibe to it; it's hard not to get swept up in it.
My only gripes would be the track "Maybe That Was It" which is a slightly meandering song with no truly notable moments, and the "rawkin" chorus on the opener is a little out of place.
Still, this is easily the most enjoyable time I've had with a Dirty Projectors album, and I'm glad I gave it a chance even though I didn't love Bita Orca.
8.2/ 10
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