Review: Caribou - Our Love
By Eli Schoop, Contributor
[Merge; 2014]
Rating: 7.5/10
Key Tracks: “Our Love,” “Can't Do Without You,” “Second Chance”
Love is an incredibly prevalent topic in music. For how common it is, it's rarely treated with the nuance and complexity that the subject is fraught with. In this regard, many albums based on this concept of love fail due to over-simplification or just plain immaturity.
Our Love, however, is not one of these albums. Dan Snaith, also known as Caribou, has crafted a record that accurately portrays all the bright spots and pitfalls of romance in its everlasting difficulty. More significantly, he does it in a way that doesn't ignore any aspect of the emotion, covering the mundane to the exceptional.
“Can't Do Without You” leads the album, showcasing its central theme beautifully. It's a blast, with synths and forceful drums building up to create a mesmerizing atmosphere, yet a soothing ending supplants any climax. It's one of Caribou's best songs yet, and he pulls it off in style.
There's a subdued melancholy throughout Our Love, but that doesn't mean it can't be playful. “Silver” is a driven bass-thumper, reminiscent of James Blake in its electronic moans and sighs, then undergoes a metamorphosis and blooms into an expansive, lush piece.
Unlike on previous albums, Caribou draws more from R&B than just simply EDM, as highlighted in “All I Ever Need.” Being a club-ready beat, its cold blinking exterior belies a solid groove and an accessible hook that draws attention to the quality melody-making displayed here.
The titular track proves to be one of the finest on the record; it's an exercise in the dichotomy that Our Love features so vividly. The first half is all repeated whines and sadness in line with the mellow tics and whirs that occupy the musical space. But when the second half kicks into gear, the intensity is unmatched, as Snaith's production experience winds up a great blast of energy that makes the song a straight banger.
Soundscapes are key on this LP. Noticeable on a concept album all about love is the fact that there isn’t a true ballad anywhere; this is flanked by Snaith's willing venture into the depths of human consciousness to plaster his sound all over your brain. Nothing is too contrived or forced and it's a much better project because of it.
Caribou's never had a record in this vein; his previous works are varied, but never this painstakingly personal. It speaks volumes of how he's grown as an artist and musician, as the music is improving alongside his persona. Impressively rich and dramatic, Our Love is a great fit in the canon of Dan Snaith.
