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AUDIO Killian Barry Andrew Lambert Danny Wilson J
ape Sentinel [Faction Records] Omni Networker [Sub Pop] Jape’s latest, markedly more subdued, collection occupies an unusual space in Richie Egan’s recent oeuvre. It’s concerned with unpacking the disparate and mercurial images that populate Egan’s own subconscious. According to Egan, Sentinel’s principle point of inspiration is the liminal space twixt sleep and wake, Sentinel strives to probe this penumbra, searching for a deeper understanding of the conscious, the unconscious and peculiar magic, and potential insights that characterises their intersection. Despite the abstract nature of the Egan’s motivating impulse, lyrically speaking, Sentinel remains firmly grounded in relatable, earthly concerns; these songs are much more interested with what happens in the smoking areas of Leonard’s Corner than the transcendental cathedrals of the mind. Fittingly considering the singularity of one’s dreamscape, Sentinel feels like a private document and is accordingly unceremonious in its revelations. When Egan’s delicate, unfussy guitar picking rubs up against the peculiar, undulating electronics stabs on tracks like The Sea Shade they evoke the lapping of waves against a beach, or more pertinently, the sensation of a flickering eyelid, gently, rhythmically, responding to outside stimuli. Like a gradual and deliberate crossfade between the comforting certainty of sleep and the less predictable, though no less beautiful, nature or the waking world. A quiet triumph. DW Like this? Try these: Si Schroeder - Coping Mechanisms Sore Eros - Sickies Volume One Alex G - House of Sugar Having streamlined to a duo and signing with prestige indie camp Sub Pop, Networker heralds the return of Atlanta post punk concern, Omni. Rather than leaning on the capital P “Punk” aspect of their chosen mode, Omni’s Phil Frobos and Frankie Broyles produce work more in conversation with the work of forebears who were never shy about showcasing their enviable musicality; your Televisions, your Wires and at their poppiest; even your Talking Headses. Rarely is hip-shaking fun balanced so deftly with such head spinning technicality. DW Kanye West Jesus Is King [Getting Out Our Dreams II/ Def Jam Recordings] A year on from the divisive ye, Kanye West returns with a perplexing gospel rap album destined to further polarize his fanbase. West is presumably well intentioned in his message – he has had success in the past when incorporating gospel influences and so it follows that the production is reliably outstanding here. Yet, sloppy lyrics on an incessantly monotonous theme and the overall frenetic execution are enough to alienate even the most devoted of listeners. AL Earl Sweatshirt Feet of Clay [Warner Music] Hootie & the Blowfish Imperfect Circle [Capitol Records] This seven-track surprise EP follows last year’s highly experimental Some Rap Songs as Earl Sweatshirt continues to explore the walls of his psyche in vivid fashion. Whereas SRS could be an overwhelmingly transgressive production, FOC is a lighter affair, comprising 15 minutes of conscious rap bars streamed across an intertwined series of chopped up, abstract beats. Best experienced as a whole rather than the sum of its parts. AL Reconvening to serve up a fresh portion of downhome South Carolina comfort food, Hootie’s latest recalls a time when Clinton was president and Ray Houghton hit the back of the net against Italy. Darius Rucker has set aside his Stetson for this, and sure enough Imperfect Circle’s unfashionable but earnest pop-rock indulges Rucker’s recent country leanings. The tunes are lightweight, anodyne variations on a theme, but Rucker’s voice still ruffles our hair and the Hootie faithful will be pleased as punch to have a new edition of rootsy MOR to soundtrack the summer barbecue. KB Now Open 29 South Anne St, Dublin 2 Tel. 01 531 4491 80