Frightened Rabbit first started as a solo project for Scott Hutchison before his brother Grant also decided to join. But the duo only released one album called Sing the Greys before deciding to make the band a foursome, releasing a record a year later called The Midnight Organ Fight, which really put this Scottish group on the radar–especially with tracks “The Modern Leper” and “Fast Blood.” Their music is emotionally radiant, indie-rock-infused, and demands your attention. There’s a longing to it, too, which you can hear in “Keep Yourself Warm” where Scott sings, “It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm. I’m drunk, I’m drunk, and you’re probably on pills. If we’ve got the same diseases, it’s irrelevant, girl.”
The same intensity you can hear on the band’s following albums, as well, as the poetry continues in their lyrics and their music becomes more layered with instruments and energy. On Pedestrian Energy, with Aaron Dessner (of the National) producing, the band has put forth some of their strongest work, which only continued on their latest compilation Painting of a Panic Attack that showcases Hutchison’s struggle with being away from home and loving someone so much that it becomes like an addiction.
“I Wish I Was Sober” is the vulnerable single from the album, reminding fans why their music is so emotionally resonating. It’s a journey, the music of Frightened Rabbit, one that will only continue to change and get even better as life carries on.
Brooklyn Steel
5/30
8 p.m.
$30
axs.com
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