The enigmatic drift of Western Lows stifles as much as it soothes, placing an emphasis on its whooshing atmospheric soundscapes with a distancing mood. The frame in which the trio works may be wide in scope, but instead of wandering in nebulous distortion, their arrangements have a more direct melodic approach. The songs they’ve unveiled off their upcoming release "Glacier" are finely calibrated with slick shoegazing guitar work, yet the driving rhythm section is the backbone of the band, constantly veering in subtle textures while never dismissing the central beat of the song. The coy shiver of singer Jack Burnside brings on a pleasant lull that is just right to the band’s controlled bliss, capturing an expansive panorama that is glazed with a melancholic tinge. Produced by Andy LeMaster of Now It’s Overhead fame (Azure Ray, Bright Eyes), "Glacier" will be released on July 9th via Jaxart Records. It’s sure to temper the upcoming summer heat.
