Los Campesinos! - "No Blues"

Artist: Los Campesinos!

Album: No Blues

Label: Wichita Recordings

Release Date: October 29^th, 2013

Review by: Sean Kayden

“No Blues,” is Los Campesinos! fifth studio album. The band from Wales continues their streak of solid albums. This time around they’ve crafted their finest one to date. Known for their raucous arrangements, outlandishly self-aware lyrics, and big hooks, Los Campesinos! changes gears with “No Blues.” It’s a more mature outing from the six-piece outfit. With each reocurring listen, you’ll find something you didn’t pick up on from the previous run through. Frontman Gareth Paisey sings with such passion and pathos as he navigates through themes of unsuccessful love, lost, life and death in this incredibly enjoyable record. The erratic melodies are still present, but “No Blues,” while not all doom and gloom is more focused, direct, and straightforward than their past outings.

Los Campesinos!’s music has been described as twee-pop. Their sound is very vivacious, packed with lively melodies and impassioned vocals. With “No Blues,” they carry on the tradition, but everything feels more heartfelt. As the band grows older, they’ve actually become wiser. They’ve always had incredible wit when it came to their lyrical choices. This latest album is very melodic and while being earnestly heartfelt, it’s rather uplifting as well. “No Blues” navigates the terrains of misguided love and sadness, but never does it come across as too sentimental or crestfallen. Instead, there is a youthful sound attached to it. “No Blues” is comprised with a joyous assortment of songs that make up for one unforgettable listening experience. In the world of Los Campesinos!, “No Blues,” is their most superb record yet and one that should be heard by anyone dealing with their own melancholy.  

“No Blues” consists of 10 gloriously melodious tracks. It’s their most complete sounding record. While other albums were good in their own right, they were more rambunctious. With this effort, it’s their most consistent sounding album. Paisey still packs on the self-deprecating and bleakly humorous lyrics with much passion and vigor. LC! are undoubtedly making some of the best indie pop music today. “No Blues” is a near faultless pop record that has astonishing replay value with finely crafted melodies, multi-layered guitars, and deeply ardent signing. No matter what, there’s a little something for everyone in “No Blues.” And frankly, it may be the answer for your own blues.

Grade: 8.8 out of 10

Key Tracks: “For Flotsam,” “Cemetery Gaits,” “As Lucerne/The Low,” “Selling Rope (Swan Dive To Estuary)”