By Jack Rafferty
Oxbow has spent nearly the last four decades being one of the most important and vital forces in experimental music. They are perpetually changing, yet always maintaining a core sound and sense of danger, vulnerability, violence, and love. After 2017’s fantastic Thin Black Duke, I was curious to see what Oxbow would do next. It’s kind of hard to review Oxbow, because there really is nothing out there like them. They have such a unique sound, attitude, and atmosphere, blending jazz, blues, punk, avant-garde, noise, soul, R&B, rock, and so much more.
Love’s Holiday definitely seems to have a noticeably less sharp edge to it, containing more contemplative, sad melodies and darker introspection. I loved seeing Lingua Ignota featured on the track, “Lovely Murk.” I thought it fit really well. It made me wish an entire collaboration album was made surrounding this, as I think the dynamics really make sense.
“1000 hours” and “All Gone” both contain some of my favorite vocal moments on the album, with Eugene really delving into tragedy and immense vulnerability. He takes a much more restrained approach on this album, but it is still able to achieve an intense emotional impact.
This certainly isn’t what I was expecting, but I’m glad that Oxbow continue to change and evolve their sound based on where they are at in their lives. It is music that feels very lived, and for that reason, genuine and intimate.
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