ALBUM REVIEW: Clean Cut Kid - HISS
Liverpool's Clean Cut Kid return with their beautiful 4th album "HISS".
"HISS'' is the type of record that evokes emotion with every word. From joy through the bright twinkling sounds, sadness with their macabre themes of regret, grief and self criticism or moments of thoughtful contemplation. Clean Cut Kid manage to capture every moment, every feeling in this ten track burst of musical excellence and elegance.
The lyrics are heartfelt and catchy while the melodies and harmonies are majestically captivating. The record offers modest beauty with up-tempo indie/folk guitars. There is plenty of jangly, perfectly placed acoustic moments mixed with some unexpected epicness.
Thoughtful drums play out behind contemplative, pensive words while the keys twinkle like bright stars.
'Our Wasted Hours' starts quiet before building into a plodding melody with busts of electrifying riffs. The vocals are intricate while the lyrics offer a sentimental look at not being able to live without someone refusing to waste anymore time not being with them. Single 'She Takes a Pill' is one of my favourites. It's a bright, catchy little sunshine laced folk anthem. I particularly like the line "when she gets wired who can get a word in edgeways" it made me smile and reminded me of myself!
'Little Black Space' has a funky, bluesy feel with some crashing drums and haunting backing vocals. The lyrics detail the realisation that someone doesn't love you anymore as the words somberly admit walking away is the best option; "think of the pain it'll save down the line". 'Cathy' sparkles with understated beauty. Building to a pretty, melodic sound that is peaceful with an air of tranquility.
I love the spoken "is it rolling Ross" intro to 'Inside My Head'. It's an upbeat, groovy little track that is guaranteed to get your foot tapping. The lyrics however offer a darker contrast to its cheerful tone with a sense of self criticism. Confessing to being a "shitty friend" and wondering about worth after all the "songs inside my head" are written. 'Hit and Miss' is a quiet, pretty acoustic tune with captivating vocals. It twinkles like a melancholic lullaby.
'Heavy As' is a peaceful, thoughtful song with the particularly poignant lyric "don't you know wisdom comes too late and nothing grows from hate, you know that love is the only way" the modest way the words are delivered makes them even more goosebumps inducing. It's a stunning, emotion provoking tune and a definite album highlight. "Lewis, Be Brave" is jazzy, a little bit danceable with blues influences and a super catchy chorus. It's another track where the joyous sound is contrasted by the tear-jerking lyrics that deal with the topic of grief and how eventually the number of people you've lost in life will be equal to the amount you've gained. The song questions the belief in God asking why he "takes as many people as you save". It's a powerful listen that's sure to make you feel pain remembering those you've lost in your own life.
'Into the Tall Grass' sees Evelyn take over on lead vocals. Her voice is sweet and pretty while the track takes on a darker tone to the rest of the record. Building to crashing, almost protesting drums and the vocal battle, as if to indicate a release of pain. The words chant that one day our bodies will decay and everyone we know will be gone. It's a harrowing, deep, morose listen that's captivating and thought provoking. Ending the album is my favourite track 'Golden Ribbon'. It's a fairly simplistic sound with endearing, raspy vocals. What makes it stands out to me is the spoken last verse:
"Don't suffer fools
Patience is overrated
Be great at what you do
And fill your house with beautiful kids
With beautiful kids
With beautiful kids
Fall head over heels in love
Counter all pain with humour
Be hard and soft and bend iron
Into gates to keep everyone safe
Laugh in the face of death
Be lost if you loose your soulmate
Just keep them doggies rollin'
Keep them doggies rollin'"
I love how I can hear singer Mike's Liverpudlian accent coming through, moreover this reminds me of the spoken verse in Ooberman's 'Shorley Wall' and it evoked the same full body chills. It stopped me in my tracks and washed me over with emotion. It's astonishing and haunting, there are no words for how perfect this lyric is.
Overall I cannot recommend "HISS" highly enough. It's emotionally charged, musically bright with exceptional songwriting. To me everything about this record is absolutely breathtaking. You need to hear it!
