The acclaimed trio Big Brave have announced their 10th full-length, in grief or in hope, an innovative vision of electro-acoustic sound and emotive storytelling, an endless bounty of overwhelming distortions and devastating beauty. Along with the record’s announcement, the trio have shared first single, “the ineptitude for mutual discernment”, a powerful encapsulation of the ensembles’ singular approach to textural distortion and emotional complexity which contrasts tides of bristling guitars against guitarist/vocalist Robin Wattie’s resolute voice. The video was created by guitarist Mat Ball with color correction by filmmaker Stacy Lee – you can watch it below this article. in grief or in hope marks a shift for Big Brave towards denser, guitar-oriented compositions. With longtime touring bassist Liam Andrews (MY DISCO, Aicher) joining guitarist/vocalist Robin Wattie and guitarist Mathieu Ball in the studio for the first time, the pieces are keenly layered with a rich tapestry of harmonics and tonal intricacies. Each piece is its own biome of distortions starkly contrasted with delicate, even tender, moments. The trio’s instinctual progressions are made more vivid through live recording, harnessing the gargantuan and storied sound of their performances. Within texturally maximalist loops and affected vocals, the pieces utilizes the aesthetics of drone, electronic, and heavy music within a foundation of pop song form.
Wattie writes, “I wanted to explore catchy, melodic phrasing weaved throughout the intensity of the instrumentation and droney chord changes. All that I could reflect on was grief and hope; death and life; cause and effect; shared experiences of being a human person.” The tenth record for the ensemble, in grief or in hope pays homage to their past while looking into their future. Standout single “the ineptitude for mutual discernment” expands on lyrical themes first explored on 2015’s Au De La, where “verdure” echoes melodies from the title track of 2014’s Feral Verdure. These references to their past serve as potent reflection points on Big Brave’s evolution as artists. A sonic whirlpool of string instruments surrounds Wattie’s commanding vocals as she shifts from spectral undulations on pieces like “what may be the kindest way to leave” to the direct, spare declarations of the title track. The ambiguity of mountainous chords on “an uttering of antipathy” are coupled with autotuned phrases emphasizing isolation inside the fray. Together the trio deliver emotional momentum that vividly describes the complex and deep feelings of struggle, pain, and transcendence. in grief or in hope transmits that sense of humanity with every gesture.
in grief or in hope will be released on June 12th via Thrill Jockey. Pre-orders are now available here.
Photo credit: Stacy Lee
