For nearly 30 years, indie rock veterans Yo La Tengo have been wowing critics and fans alike with its dynamic song formats. Ranging from brooding ballads to feedback-inducing fuzz guitar jams, the band’s recorded output has remained extremely versatile throughout its career. In a music industry that has become increasingly fractured and dependent on exclusive “scenes,” Yo La Tengo’s inherent flexibility is praiseworthy in its own right.
Fade, the trio’s latest release, expands on its shape-shifting nature. As with past recordings, the band makes a concerted effort to incorporate sounds that on paper may seem out of place, but settle nicely into the mix. The elegant strings on “Is That Enough” flutter just above front man Ira Kaplan’s smooth melody and complement the song’s innocent impression. The funky organ tones that highlight “Well You Better” drive the song’s tight drum and bass groove to its sudden resolution.
The pleasant acoustic picking of “I’ll Be Around” reinforces Fade’s honest intentions. Kaplan’s lyrics evoke a genuine letter to an absent loved one, promising to hold on to their memory. Symbolically, the song and the album as a whole cement Yo La Tengo’s reputation in the current indie climate. They are the torch-bearers of a lost brand of music invulnerable to the influence of the chillwave-touting blogosphere, with a sound that is as compelling as it is diverse.
Longtime fans of the band will regard Fade as another solid entry in Yo La Tengo’s acclaimed catalogue. But at the same time, new listeners will find its concise 10-song track list a fitting introduction to one of indie rock’s most celebrated acts.
Dive verdict: ?????
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