Album Review: Foxing - Dealer
By Sam Tornow, Contributor
[Triple Crown; 2015]
Rating: 4.5/5
Key Tracks: “The Magdalene,” “Night Channels,” “Glass Coughs”
“Foxing is a band. Someday Foxing will not be a band” is Missouri-based Foxing’s motto; the release of its sophomore effort, Dealer, makes this statement a hard pill to swallow. With its wide assortment of styles, influences and moving parts, Dealer is a complex auditory masterpiece that’s a pleasure to get lost in.
Foxing’s genre has been a point of controversy since the release of its debut full-length, The Albatross. Labeled as pop-punk to chamber emo at times, the band has jokingly remarked they’re “post-good.” The wide variety of elements and emotions going into each track gives Foxing its unique and sometimes cinematic sound.
“The Magdalene,” the initial single released for Dealer, exemplifies this classic Foxing style. The track is a darkly toned, dynamic song filled with an ‘80s guitar feel, incredible vocal control and one-of-a-kind, tasteful drumming patterns. Below the surface, the song’s bass and sampler add a deeper, often overlooked layer which is vital to the band’s sound.
Foxing’s typically spontaneous song structure, prevalent throughout Dealer, is countered on the third track of the album, “Night Channels.” Taking on the standard pop form of identical and catchy choruses, the song is a strange but sensational venture for the band. The track works well because of a subtle build throughout, which is filled with small, instrumental intricacies. By the end of “Night Channels,” listeners are sure to be screaming the chorus alongside Conor Murphy.
The secret ingredient to Dealer is not the individual songs but rather the way they come together to create a larger, emotional experience for the listener. The peak of this falls on the gripping “Glass Coughs.” Featuring a compelling and ever changing instrumental performance with chilling vocals, the song conveys a haunting vibe. Hearing Murphy strain himself to sing, “Soft hangover / I’ll hang over / I’ll disappear with you,” feels heartbreaking and genuine.
Dealer paints a portrait that seems to grow with each new playthrough; each listen reveals more details. While Foxing may not be a band someday, we should be thankful it is now.
