With their second LP, Halifax's Walrus temper their psychedelic indie rock with an evolved sense of pop melodicism. Structurally tighter and sonically cleaner, the band's Tame Impala-isms take a back seat to a more Beatles-indebted sound on this outing, which positions Walrus as the successors to Sloan's sophisticated Can-pop crown.
The scrappy charm of Family Hangover has grown into much more memorable songwriting across the entire album; it's a rather dramatic leap in confidence and ability. Cool to Who is the sound of a band in the midst of finding themselves. There isn't anything innovative about their music, but every note of this album feels honest and considered.
Production-wise, the lost '70s record aesthetic perfectly fits the songwriting mode they are exploring. It'll be interesting to hear where Walrus go from here, but the skill with which they're sublimating rock nostalgia is very promising. Check out the title track and "Mr. Insecure" for a quick read on if Cool to Who will sound cool to you.
(Outside)The scrappy charm of Family Hangover has grown into much more memorable songwriting across the entire album; it's a rather dramatic leap in confidence and ability. Cool to Who is the sound of a band in the midst of finding themselves. There isn't anything innovative about their music, but every note of this album feels honest and considered.
Production-wise, the lost '70s record aesthetic perfectly fits the songwriting mode they are exploring. It'll be interesting to hear where Walrus go from here, but the skill with which they're sublimating rock nostalgia is very promising. Check out the title track and "Mr. Insecure" for a quick read on if Cool to Who will sound cool to you.