Local Natives – ‘But I’ll Wait For You’ album review: over-polished and outdated indie
THE SKINNY: Around a decade ago, indie reigned supreme. From Bombay Bicycle Club to Arctic Monkeys, audiences couldn’t keep themselves away from catchy guitar melodies and songwriting that veered between real and romantic. We’re already calling back to that era, pining for a return to its rougher side, to kitchen sink lyricism and art rock, but there’s less of a desire for that softer, more polished indie sound that Local Natives have opted to return to on their latest offering.
If the California-born band had released But I’ll Wait For You in the early 2010s, when we all had Real Estate’s ‘It’s Real’ on repeat and lauded Grizzly Bear’s Blue Valentine soundtrack, it would have gone down a treat. It’s soft and subdued throughout, romanticising cinema trips and ephemerality through melodic harmonies and impossibly polished production, but there’s something missing.
But I’ll Wait For You is too polished for the contemporary indie scene, which prioritises rawness and vulnerability, experimentation and innovation. It’s lacking in any real sense of emotion, pulling its punches on the listener. As a consequence, the record feels a little stagnated and a little outdated. It’s understated to a fault, with moments of beauty obscured by monotony. It passes you by without ever really enticing you in.
The record establishes its sound on the album opener, ‘Alpharetta’, and then refuses to deviate from it for the next nine songs. By the time you reach the title track, the polished indie folk guitars and harmonies have lost the little shine they once had. Unfortunately, But I’ll Wait For You leaves you waiting for something more.
For fans of: Indie… a decade ago.
A concluding comment from Elle’s boyfriend: “This sounds like something that would feature on a Tory MP’s intimate mix.”
But I’ll Wait For You track-by-track:
Release date: April 19th | Producer: Shawn Everett | Label: Loma Vista
Alpharetta: A pretty but fairly unremarkable opener, ‘Alpharetta’ sets the tone for But I’ll Wait For You. Soft harmonies and folk-y guitars soundtrack thoughts on ephemerality and distance, while glittering keys and blurred twangs hint at something greater. [2.5/5]
Throw It In The Fire: ‘Throw It In The Fire’ is nowhere near as fiery as its title suggests – it’s just another piece of impossibly polished indie, a sound that becomes all too familiar as But I’ll Wait For You progresses. Strings almost add intrigue, but they’re too controlled to catch light. [2/5]
Neon Memory: There’s little to distinguish ‘Neon Memory’ from the rest of But I’ll Wait For You. It passes by without ever demanding your attention, lost to understated percussion and unspirited “ooh”s, and it certainly doesn’t etch itself into your memory. [1.5/5]
Camera Shy: ‘Camera Shy’ has a little more about it. There’s no real deviation from that clean indie sound, but Local Natives give it slightly more intrigue with stagnating instrumentation and strangely haunting harmonies. [2/5]
As Soon As You Arrive: ‘As Soon As You Arrive’ is a high point, a blissful collection of playful percussion and twinkling melodies fit for spring. It’s still subdued and soft, just as understated as the rest of the record, but with a little more shine to it. [2.5/5]
Ending Credits: The metaphor at the centre of ‘Ending Credits’ has potential to forge an indie love song classic. As the singer details tales of love through close-ups and credit rolls, it’s a gorgeously cinematic comparison. Unfortunately, the instrumentation lacks the drama to bring it to life. [2/5]
Raincoat: Uninspired harmonies and calming indie folk are really losing their shine by the time you reach ‘Raincoat’, which delivers yet another dose of the stuff. Synths almost provide it with something more, but maybe I’m just scrambling to find something on But I’ll Wait For You which just isn’t there. [2/5]
April: With three songs to go, Local Natives throw some buzzing psych influences in as a last-ditch attempt to push But I’ll Wait For You beyond generic indie. Unfortunately, they fade into those dependable harmonies and mediocre melodies that just keep coming. [2/5]
Walk Before You Run: More harmonies, more subdued soundscapes, more monotony. I’m running out of ways to say predictable indie. [1.5/5]
But I’ll Wait For You: The titular track is, expectedly, not dissimilar from the rest of the record. Unfortunately, ‘But I’ll Wait For You’ leaves you waiting for something more. [2/5]
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