12th studio album from slowcore pioneers Low. Double Negative marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker's debut. Over the course of their career they have pioneered a sub-genre, done away with its trappings and become a powerful onstage force. It would be easy for the band to turn towards nostalgia in celebration of their longevity, but instead they chose to keep pushing forward. They enlisted B.J. Burton, the intrepid producer who has worked with James Blake, Sylvan Esso, and The Tallest Man on Earth, and become a fixture at Bon Iver's home studio, April Base. Burton recorded their previous effort, 2015's Ones and Sixes, but the band wanted to push even further into uncharted territory this time around. The songwriting became a more collaborative effort, as the band would work for days with Burton, starting with mere sketches. And it seems that the resulting effort perfectly captures our time. Sounds rupture and descend into noise; vocals emerge like light after an apocalyptic storm. Loud and impassioned, Double Negative will prove a challenging listen to even the most dedicated fan. Eleven tracks in all. Released by Sub Pop on black vinyl housed in a full color sleeve with printed inner sleeve, card stock mask insert and digital download.

• black vinyl pressing
• printed inner sleeve
• card stock mask insert
• music label: Sub Pop 2018

reviewed by Minor Meltdown 09/2018