Given the Tortoise-tempoed and slow-to-unfold quality of their music, some might dismiss their four album plus a thousand EPs body of work as somnombulant “sadcore” (though I hear “sLOWcore” is picking up traction). But like other former Velvet Underground acolytes Yo La Tengo, Eleventh Dream Day and Luna, they have taken those elements of subtlety and become so much more. Low’s simplicity is deceptive, now more than ever. On Secret Name the songs rarely go above a whisper, but often exude enough drama to send you reeling. “Starfire” sounds like Sister Lovers era Alex Chilton covering Smog, until it builds into a sweeping chorus of la la la’s that would turn Brian Wilson green with envy. While their sad songs (“Missouri,” prounced “misery,” and “Weight Of Water”) are sadder than anyone elses’, they’re also more beautiful. For the first time, they incorporate violin, viola and cello arrangements, courtesy of The Triple A Strings. The effect is more successfully striking than Nick Drake’s valient effort on his ambitious Bryter Layter, especially on the lovely “Liar/Lamb” and “Soon,” which also features a pulsing heart-beat straight from VU’s “Ocean.” Aside from the arrangements, the instrumentation is even more bare and spare than previous albums. The general absence of guitar isn’t even noticeble, as this is possibly their most engagingly varied and beautiful album yet.
April 2, 2026
Fester’s Lucky 13: 1986
February 27, 2026
Fester’s Lucky 13: 1976
