Album Review: Savages - Adore Life
By Jonathan Fuchs, Copy Editor
[Matador; 2016]
Rating: 4/5
Key Tracks: “The Answer,” “Sad Person,” “Adore”
When UK post-punk band Savages released their debut album Silence Yourself in 2013, they instantly became one of the most celebrated and talked about acts of that year. The album quickly topped the UK charts and the band toured all over the world. Three years later, they’ve returned with Adore Life, their sophomore album that keeps in the spirit of the previous record and is just as loud and aggressive.
Adore Life starts at full speed with “The Answer,” which immediately lets the listener know that the next 40 minutes are going to be insane and all over the place. A great intro to a powerful record, “The Answer” is so unbelievably loud and messy that it might surprise the listener at first, but will keep them coming back for more and more listens.
Many tracks on this album (“Evil,” “Sad Person,” “T.I.W.Y.G.”) hear Savages go in a more danceable direction, adding faster tempos, louder drums, and stronger bass lines to the band’s equation. This catchier atmosphere is a really good addition for people who aren’t fans of the band’s slower sound; these songs can be considered a lot more listenable than previous material.
The biggest highlight on the album is “Adore,” a song that feels slow and dreary, but through singer Jehnny Beth’s beautiful voice keeps the listener on edge. Her incredible goosebump-inducing singing and thoughtful lyrics keep the listener’s attention for the whole song, and the climax at its ending is sure to take their breath away with awesome production.
Although Adore Life might not be as memorable as Silence Yourself for some, it is still a very strong record and proof that Savages are here to stay for a while. It’s a follow-up that will please the majority of older fans and shows that the band will continue to remain one of the best post-punk acts working today.
