Take a Listen to Low Roar’s Sweeping Sophomore Album [stream]

Low Roar – I’m Leaving SoundCloud

Low Roar’s 2011 self-titled debut is still one that I put on when I’m feeling lonely, probably because it feels a lot like the sound of loneliness. See, Ryan Karazija wrote it in response to difficulties settling in to an entirely new culture, climate, everything when he moved from California to Iceland, so it aches of both of bewilderment and wonder. If you haven’t heard “Friends Make Garbage (Good Friends Take It Out)”, you should listen right now before moving on. Low Roar’s newest album has been out for three months but was released during a busy season in my life, so I put it on hold so as to give it a proper first listen. Listening to it for a few weeks now, I can confidently say that Low Roar’s O is just as magical as his debut, only more lush and more expansive. Striking the most beautiful balance between electronic and folk, it’s not entirely either or even “folktronica”, but something weightier, more akin to early Radiohead or Sigur Ros. He adorns each track with sweeping orchestration to assist in fully conveying the tone, making for detailed and dreamy landscapes. O is delicate, cinematic and just gorgeous. Listen to Low Roar’s “I’m Leaving” from O above and, if you are as bewitched as I, Low Roar just happens to be opening for Asgeir tonight at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Tickets here.