WAILING feedback and smatterings of screeching guitar solos made alternative pioneers Sonic Youth what they are today, but their sixteenth studio album aptly named 'The Eternal', signals a change in direction. The New York based quintet have embarked on their most accessible record yet after signing with independent label Matador Records.
But this is by no means a pipe and slippers album, despite being a band deep into its second decade of recording. Instead 'The Eternal' delivers mesmerising guitar riffs that overlap like cloud-cover. They glide effortlessly from intimidating anthems to soft melodies and back again, enough to make fans of all ages want to sit back in amazement.
After influencing bands like Nirvana in the early nineties, Sonic Youth hint back at their experimental past on the albums opener. ‘Sacred Trickster’ is a two minute throwback to grungy times gone by with Kim Gordon’s distinctive vocals sounding like Katie White from the Ting Tings in a mosh pit. Clearly this is no tame pre-retirement payday however as they shout “Anti-war is anti-orgasm!” in a later song. But it isn’t a head-banger, it’s a refined collection combining ever-changing guitar chords, sprinkles of Muse-esque feedback and spades of blissful vocals.
Gordon’s breathy, intimate voice is brought to the fore in the enchanting ‘Massage History’, a nine minute dream-like swansong masked with endless layers of key changes. The Eternal’s finest moment however is another cauldron of sound where Gordon again reigns supreme. ‘Malibu Gas Station’ is haunting and hypnotic with trademark vocals like “My mind is hazy, just a little crazy”, whilst intricate guitar chords from Lee Ranaldo run the show.
Sonic Youth have hit a high note with this one. But The Eternal is not a commercial record like its predecessor Rather Ripped nor is it experimental like 1983s Confusion is Sex, instead it’s the best possible compromise.
8/10
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