Metronomy – Metronomy Forever

A bedroom-pop rendition of Metronomy’s classic sound

Metronomy Forever is the new sound of Joseph Mount, frontman of the indie, electronic outfit Metronomy. Metronomy Forever, the group’s sixth full-length record, retains all of the polished sounds, tight bass grooves and other classic elements of Metronomy’s older work that established them as an eccentric and unforgettable band. The album is a bedroom pop rendition of their old sound heard on previous records such as The English Riviera or Love Letters. The project was crafted after Mount moved to the English countryside, an area that has inspired hundreds of literary works and attracted contemplative artists since the romantic era during the 1800s. It’s an area for peace, solitude and reflection and that is exactly what Mount so well encompasses in this new project.

Metronomy Forever opens with dissonant wedding bells and warm, swelling organs, stirring feelings of both discomfort and hope which sets the mood for the rest of the project. Because Mount recorded the project alone, the record presents itself as a compilation of different songwriting styles and themes Mount has toyed with in previous records and a new interpretation of what Metronomy’s sound is. The record offers memorable singles, fragmented song ideas and intimate lyrical content.

“Whitsand Bay,” is the notable first full song off the record, reminiscent of Metronomy’s 2011 The English Riviera, with driving bass and Mount’s seemingly casual singing style. “Lying Low,” uses similar psychedelic arpeggios heard on the 2008 record Nights Out and “Upset My Girlfriend,” recreates the same intimacy with acoustic instruments and minimal percussion heard on Metronomy’s 2014 release, Love Letters. Mount’s voice is airy, spacious and haunting. His lyrical content touches on sex emojis, anxiety, heartbreak and the legacy Metronomy has created. It’s interesting then, that his lyrical content significantly varies throughout, but some songs reflect one another, offering two different takes on a singular subject. These songs include “Wedding,” and “Wedding Bells,” as well as “Insecurity,” and “Insecure.”

The record offers songs eligible to play in the club like “Salted Caramel Ice Cream,” or “Sex Emoji,” but it’s the record’s more contemplative, moodier songs that excel. The strongest moments from the project came from tracks that supported Mount’s ethereal voice with gloomy, underlying production heard on cuts like “The Light,” or “Lately.” But 17 songs is a lot of content, and Metronomy Forever loses some of its replay-ability as Mount’s strained falsetto grows tiresome and corny, uninspiring lyrics punch through the mix on songs like “Salted Caramel Ice Cream,” and “Wedding Bells.”

Regardless of a few lackluster songs off the record, Metronomy Forever really is a riveting release chock-full of Mount’s best songwriting, production techniques and catchy hooks since the band’s major success with The English Riviera.