When reviewing an album like Deerhunter’s “Halcyon Digest,” it is very hard not stray away from how the album ties into its members’ pasts. Frontman Bradford Cox, who also takes part in his solo project Atlas Sound, is becoming more of a muse figure for the underground music scene today.
“Halcyon Digest,” released by 4AD Recordings in late September, is said to be—as the title openly reflects—Cox’s way of reflecting on the past. Cox and his crew have successfully managed to create an album that demonstrates how sound can be transformed into evocation of an emotional response in the listener by manipulating guitar loops and, at times, sluggish beats. The album seems to have surprised fans by showing a much quieter and gentler side of Deerhunter, at the same time becoming a favorite among the band’s collection of works.
As Cox is reminiscing of his somewhat troubled youthful days and how he has arrived to where he is now, it seems that it is almost as surprising to him—and perhaps to the people who knew him growing up—that he has come this far. This idea, which undoubtedly provokes a bit of retrospection, is possibly what influenced the overall theme of the album: nostalgia.
Cox, who grew up with a physically-altering genetic disorder and underwent more than enough childhood trauma, has surprised the music world yet again not only with his heartfelt ambition, but with his ability to convey his unfortunate trials through his music, especially by method of “stream-of-consciousness” writing.
New-age sounding rock ‘n’ roll licks, persuasive lyrics and an arching theme of the past—which continues throughout the album—are caught best on “Basement Scene,” which intentionally captures the same melancholy feel as The Everly Brothers’ “All I have to do is Dream.” With lyrics like “If you’ve seen/the light turn gold/come out tonight/And we’ll get stoned/I don’t want to get old,” Cox brings back the ever-so-ambitious teenage angst of being at the forefront of one’s “thought-out” life plan. As the vocals intertwine with the hollow and echoing guitar riffs, Cox sounds almost like he is speaking to his audience from within a dream.
As opposed to his work on “Cryptograms,” which brings much more of an abrasive and piercing sound and rings true to the idea of a more rebellious time, “Halcyon Digest” is a good example of the fact that Cox and the rest of Deerhunter are still reaching into different realms of sound and indefinitely maturing as songwriters and as a band.
“Coronado” slowly builds into an array of catchy sounds, backed by an unexpected sax along with a 12-string guitar. Cox brings the album’s down-to-earth sound into more of an upbeat, hopeful tone, which surprisingly shares style with some of the Strokes’ work.
The aforementioned nostalgic theme is wonderfully saturated throughout the album. One of the singles, “Revival,” paints a picture of a ’50s dance hall, while the other single, “Helicopter,” acts as a depiction of Cox’s once-felt hopelessness while growing up. “No one cares for me/I keep no company/I have minimal needs/And now they are through with me.” The song “Memory Boy” cuts into the theme with Cox singing, “Did you stick with me?/Let me jog my memory/I see you leaving/Oh, don’t forget your TV.” Bringing up memories is simply the charm of reminiscing that we all know about, but what Cox is trying to find is the reason why we remember what we do, and how we choose to react to each of our own memories.
The album finishes strong with “He Would Have Laughed,” a seven-minute delight that shows how far Cox has really evolved as a songwriter. The song has an almost eerie, shimmering feeling to it while it constantly building upon itself through beautifully constructed loops and an array of percussion. “He Would Have Laughed” is supposedly a tribute to Jay Reatard, who passed away this January and was a close friend to Cox. This last track not only serves as a tribute to a friend, but concludes the album by bringing it into a present perspective.
As how nostalgia goes, this album will be resonating with you for a while if you happen to come upon it, as many stories do. ?