Shy, Low – Hiraeth

By Ryan G

I’m sitting here, listening to the last few minutes of Shy, Low’s breathtaking new release Hiraeth.

I’m wondering how I’m going to address each note of this record. Let alone, each song. Then, I realize I don’t have to.

In a conversation I had with the head of Spartan Records at SXSW this past spring, he told me he cried during Shy, Low’s set his label’s showcase. The events of the past 24 hours make the record that much more poignant to me.

If you’re reading this, you undoubtedly are aware of the horrific attacks committed by ISIS in Paris, the majority of the bloodshed occuring at a rock show. Just like the show we were watching at SXSW. This could have been any of us.

Post rock serves as an escape for many. I can only hope that the escape people were feeling the midst of the Eagles of Death Metal show outweighed the moments of terror they felt seconds later. Hiraeth has become an unwitting soundtrack of resolve to me. I knew Shy, Low was on to something special when they played at SXSW, but through some sort of divine appointment, I think these tracks were released at just the right time. While “Times Gone By” lends itself well to quiet contemplation, album opener “Nostos” serves a mood of defiance and resolve. At least, in my mind.

From the time I’ve spent with this band, Hiraeth fits comfortably in with the rest of the band’s discography. But seeing the band in a live setting made me anticipate the new stuff. And I heard another fan mention how he was struck by a song, followed by the drummer discussing an interesting fill idea and how that song the fan liked was new material. While the passage of seven months since that night has rendered my memory of which song that was obsolete, I can happily say that the new release lives up to my expectations.

I suggest you take some time to meditate while listening to this record. Read Scripture, discuss politics, journal. Do something of that nature.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/210803205″  /]

Score: 4.4/5

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