It’s a rare group that makes a point of noting their new LP is a single album, but that’s what Godspeed You! Black Emperor are doing with their new album, Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress – which they observe is their first single album since their earliest days.
With four tracks, and clocking in at a shade over 40 minutes, this is not exactly a poptastic version of Godspeed, but it’s a more focussed version of the Canadian postrock giants than we’re used to. Some phrases from the press release should give you an idea of what to expect: “Huge unison riffage, savage noise/drone, oscillating overtones, guitar vs. string counterpoint, inexorable crescendos and scorched-earth transitions”. If you’re still thinking that maybe there’s a hitherto concealed Carly Rae Jepsen influence, let us note only that the final song is called Piss Crowns Are Trebled.
Will you be left recoiling in awe at the sheer majesty of these songs, left flattened by the avalanche force of 297 guitars? Have a listen and let us know what you think.
