Since figuratively and literally turning my hand to talk about the music I consume, there have been a number of stand out acts that I’ve discovered along the way, one of which is The Antlers. Despite putting in work for the last eight years, it was the release of the gritty, dense and melancholic heavyweight Hospice in 2009 which placed them firmly on my map. Although the band’s fifth album, Familiars, doesn’t share either the emotional heft of Hospice or even the instrumental scope of their previous LP Burst Apart, it does mark itself as a pretty robust and heartfelt addition to their catalog.
Familiars is, without compromise, The Antlers most subtle and subdued work to date, but don’t see these particular adjectives as a slight against the band’s output. Within their stillness and their inner calm lies a layered and lingering warmth. Each song on the record lasts around five to seven minutes, and while at times this can overcook certain ideas, for the most part, these larger canvases allow for more detail to be applied. There are strings of jazz and neo-classical influences tied to the album’s bow, and by letting them burn slowly and mature more organically, the feeling is deeper, their presence is tighter and their combined effect is greater.
Although there are some great bluesy guitar flourishes peppered throughout that add to the broody undercurrent of the album, it’s the string and brass elements which reign supreme on Familiars. They not only guide the rhythmic structures of the record, but they also lead the overall melody and tone. These are elements which The Antlers have dabbled in before, but here they’re utilized much better and with more concentration. The band has sharpened another weapon within their arsenal and used it to carve out a dreamy atmosphere.
Familiars isn’t The Antlers’ most immediate, affecting or even memorable work, but it’s a rich example of both feeling and thought working in tandem. The record becomes more rewarding with repeat listens, allowing you to move outside of its initial hypnotic influence and look closer at what lies beneath.