Third studio album from Dallas ‘stonegaze’ trio, True Widow, is a bit of a mouthful – ‘Circumambulation’ – meaning to move around a sacred object or idol is the perfect title when considering the lustrous sound this opus encompasses. The guitars, percussion and sultry vocal pairing shift effortlessly around each other to give the light and airy feel this band are famous for.
Much like their previous two albums, this is a slow burner with a throwback to the sluggish 90’s grunge of Smashing Pumpkins. The bass guitar has more back end than a bus whilst the vocals and production quality add a touch of the ethereal that gives the music its ‘shoegaze’ quality. Not many a band possesses a sound so complex they have to make up their own genre for it. These guys have, however, and it could not be more apt.
This is a record that deserves to be played often and at high volume – it is soft enough that there won’t be complaints from the neighbours, yet heavy enough to warrant being played through a decent sound system. Whilst this is by no means a bad release, it struggles to make a lasting impression. It’s enjoyable enough when being played, but evaporates from memory like the smoky, otherworldly vibe it emits once you hit stop. You’ll have to make a conscious effort not to forget about this album as it deserves your full attention.
(Angela Davey 6/10)
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