Apr 14, 2016
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have approached an increasingly rare feat in the present day industry: nearly a decade's worth of active existence. While some would call for a celebration, others believe it draws a red flag; with such a milestone comes the chance of acquiring a “fixed sound”. Fans essentially know – or can conjure a well educated guess of what to expect from a band after so long. It’s a sticky situation to sink in, typically trapping artists in a musical complacency of sorts, but Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a pleasant exception to the tendency. In PersonA, they’ve proven that the Zeros cling to no boundaries.
Out today through Community Music + Create/Control, PersonA not only serves as the Los Angeles based ensemble's fourth LP, but it's also the first project that will not feature previous core member Jade Castrino, who departed in 2014. Whether or not it’s been an obstacle in their recording process, the completed ten tracks are proof that the band's creative exploration is alive and well. Admittedly, the new album embraces a certain folk familiarity heard in previous works, but they’ve uncovered a grittier texture that has yet to be heard in such depths.
Before jumping into PersonA, allow us to recap on the Edward Sharpe we know: Officially forming back in 2007, the group united ten members, including Alex Ebert and Jade Castrino as its singing cores. Since the debut of Up From Below, Edward Sharpe coined an indie folk, gospel-esque, psychedelic genre, and spawned what is arguably their most popular hit “Home”. With each following LP – 2012’s Here, and 2013’s self titled – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros nourished a colorful sound, filled with sway-ful, catchy tracks and harmonic choruses that typically sing messages of love and unity. But before deeming Edward Sharpe to only be good for campfire group singing sessions, allow me to present PersonA.
It’s a fair move to start with a spotlight on track one, “Hot Coals”, which was released in late 2015. If we were to pinpoint a song that wholly exemplifies the music Edward Sharpe has established, this one is far from it. Lacking in synchronized claps or 'la da dee da' chants, listeners are presented the bareness of an acoustic guitar followed by Ebert's introduction. In a lengthy seven minutes, the tempo quickly escalates though an accompanied instrumental fusion, with a dominating presence of piano, drums and trumpet. Truthfully, it's an interesting first track pick.
In comparison to previous initial tracks – i.e: “Better Days”, “Man on Fire” – "Hot Coals" strays to the opposite end of the spectrum, highlighting a diverse sound collective. With a unique blend of what would best be described as psychedelic folk meets orchestral jazz, it's a challenge to precisely categorize. Think third album, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros', distant, mysterious second cousin. Similar ties can be made with “Uncomfortable”, and “Wake Up the Sun” which continues to dabble in faint jazz themes. This shift of sound may be prompted by the change in band lineup or perhaps their unorthodox methods of creating the album; current members nearly recorded its entirety in a single room in New Orleans, differing tremendously from a “come-one-come-all” approach they've accustomed to.
Harmonically, the Zeros draw from an avenue they’ve frequented in a multitude of past songs. It would almost raise an eyebrow if they went an entire album without a foot-tapping, feel good sing-a-long meandering its way into the list, and “No Love Like Yours” is just that track. It actually serves as PersonA’s first single. Released in January, the upscale track sings of – you guessed it – love, to the beaming, energetic lyrics of “No love like yours, woman. Show me love, show me love, teach me love, hear me love”. It's a safe first single amongst the list, representing the happy-go-lucky tones Edward Sharpe has long embodied. Avid listeners of “Home”, this ones for you.
Also, there’s rightful props to its official music video, which was directed by actress Olivia Wilde on a mere iPhone:
A good portion of the record is also lined with soft and serene tracks that would most likely land somewhere on your Indie Acoustic Afternoons playlist. Listeners looking for stripped down songs that focus more on Ebert’s melodic vocals rather than strong instrumentals can check out “Perfect Time”, “Somewhere” which almost undeniably follows the rhythm of The Beatles' “Here Comes the Sun”, “Lullaby” and “Free Stuff”. To much surprise, these ballads and acoustics don’t all thematically spread messages of loving one and loving all, but they each hold easy-on-the-ear harmonies that draws the same tranquil effect. The most common past songs to relate would be “Child”, “Dear Believer”, “This Life” and “Janglin’”.
All in all, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have compiled 10 tracks that give listeners a little of everything. You have songs that pay homage to old tunes that are happier than the happiest of days, and an exploration through a hidden side of the Zero’s, filtering an edgier, experimental richness to their folk influences.
Tickets are also available now for their North American Spring tour dates:
Apr 06 - St. Ann and The Holy Trinity Church - Brooklyn, NY
Apr 11 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA
Apr 17 - Coachella - Weekend 1 Indio, CA
Apr 24 - Coachella - Weekend 2 Indio, CA
May 17 - Codfish Hollow Barn - Maquoketa, IA
May 18 - Pabst Theater - Milwaukee, WI
May 20 - Surly Brewery - Minneapolis, MN
May 21 - Harrah's Hotel & Casino - Stir Cove Council Bluffs, IA
May 22 - The Hop Jam Beer & Music Festival - Tulsa, OK
May 25 - The Filene Center at Wolf Trap - Vienna, VA
May 27 - North Carolina Museum of Art - Raleigh, NC
May 28 - Georgia Theatre - Athens, GA
May 30 - Cumberland Caverns - Mcminnville, TN
May 31 - Ascend Amphitheater - Nashville, TN
Jun 04 - Whitewater Music Amphitheatre - New Braunfels, TX
Jun 05 - Free Press Summer Festival - Houston, TX
Jun 08 - Orpheum Theater - Flagstaff, AZ
Jun 11 - The Greek Theatre - Berkeley, CA
Jun 12 - Cargo at Whitney Peak Hotel - Reno, NV
Jun 16 - Marymoor Park - Redmond, WA
Jun 17 - Edgefield - Troutdale, OR
Jun 18 - Revolution Center - Garden City, ID I
Jul 24 - Newport Folk Festival - Newport, RI
Image: Create/Control
