Finally, it’s here. I’ve been waiting like a kid for a new album from these guys. Coming from the same recording sessions as their previous album, Alopecia, this album might be somewhat similar theme-wise, but when it comes to the sound it’s absolutely not. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing though.
Revolving around former rapper Jonathan “Yoni” Wolf, this band has built up a sound that’s really unique. Combining Yoni’s morbid, yet gripping lyrics sung in a rap-like way with tunes from pianos and guitars, it’s beautiful pop music that incorporates the good part of hip hop.
While Alopecia was a clear step towards a less rap-based sound, it had a kind of kick-you-in-the-face attitude in it, as also is the case in most hip hop, and was leaned a lot towards an indie rock kind of sound. Those expecting an album building on that fundament might initially be really disapointed and confused by Eskimo Snow. As I’ve already mentioned, it does share some of the same lyrical themes as its predecessor, but the sound has taken a completely different turn this time.
Eskimo Snow is filled with melancholic-, yet somehow also sugar sweet pop songs, kind of like the most poppy and catchy songs of Elephant Eyelash, but taken a lot further. They’ve included instruments like an organ on “Into The Shadows Of My Embrace” and a toy piano that’s a bit here and there, but most noticable in the chorus of “Against Me”. All in all, it’s quite a contrast from what they’ve previously been doing, especially if you’ve been following Yoni since projects like cLOUDDEAD and Hymie’s Basement, and not to mention if you compare them to the other bands signed to Anticon.
At first listen, this album might seem a lot weaker than the previous ones, like it was just the leftover songs they didn’t include on Alopecia. But as the album grows on you, you’ll realize that this might just be the most focused and thought through album they’ve done so far. It’s a brave step in an interesting, but good direction.