An unrelenting ticking noise. Soft vocals decorating the backing track. A steady beat to cling to for support. Lowly’s “Curious” brings an intoxicating mystery that defines its album.
Softly, the newest album from Danish band Lowly, has mystique, allure and an atmosphere that is nothing short of captivating. Yet beneath its hazy production and delicate soundscapes lies an inconsistent record, one that alternates between moments of gripping innovation and songs that struggle to find their footing.
When operating at full capacity, Lowly thrives on energy and careful, novel production. “At All” is a prime example. Propelled by exciting synths and a quick, restless arrangement, the tune’s upbeat nature is more than welcome on an album that had, up until that point, remained on the slower side. The instrumentation moves with confidence, creating an engaging contrast with the track’s softer sonic elements.
“What Is It For,” however, is the album’s standout. Beginning at a slower pace, the track gradually builds with no trace of gracelessness. Layered vocals drift above echoey guitars while reliable percussion anchors the arrangement. While the vocals may fall short of being strong, their softness both matches the overall tone of the record and does well in balancing out the buoyant production. Each element complements the next, creating a sound that feels expansive while steering clear of being overwhelming. Where other tracks struggle to balance their components, this song makes its intricacies feel effortless.
Unfortunately, that balance is not always present. “Stretch Under Strain” may as well be named for the unrelenting strain in its singer’s voice. In an attempt to create a heartfelt ballad, Lowly delivers a muddled, monotonous combination of emotional lyrics and uninspiring instrumentals. The vocals feel pitchy rather than vulnerable, and the arrangement fails to develop enough strength to sustain interest. What should be an intimate moment instead becomes a test of patience.
These contrasting experiences make Softly a confusing listen. Its quieter passages can drift into sameness and some vocal performances fail to deliver the emotional weight of the words they’re relaying. While the band’s atmospheric instincts never lead them astray, they cannot rely solely on sonic appeal to drive their album.
Still, Softly is far from a failure. When Lowly embraces their skills in producing dynamic tracks with layered instrumentation and multi-dimensional vocals, the results are damning. Their issue lies in consistency. The album offers glimpses of exceptional songwriting and sound design, but an equal amount of effort doesn’t seem to be applied to each song. Ultimately, the record has a vast catalogue of beautiful highs and disappointing lows; its best moments make the weaker ones all the more frustrating.
