SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PATRICK KRIEF – SKYLINES

PATRICK KRIEF
SKYLINES
INDICA

Patrick Krief, formerly known simply as Krief, delivers on a more personal level than past releases, a solid LP in the form of Skylines, the artist’s seventh solo release. The former guitar lead and contributor of Montreal indie darlings The Dears, Patrick Krief continues his solitary musical journey, his first album since the 2020 masterpiece Chemical Trance.

Skylines, 12 songs and 47 minutes in length, moves towards an overall softer, dreamy, crisp, sonic sound than Chemical Trance, perhaps more radio-friendly and accessible in that it’s easier listening. Produced by Marcus Paquin (The National, Arcade Fire, The Weather Station), it also features contributions from Mishka Stein, Erika Angell, Liam O’Neill and Owen Pallett.

In Skylines, Krief continues to evolve, building on the pop sensibilities of his excellent 2019 Dovetale release, further polishing and gleaming his craft. Skylines, as the title would suggest, is precise and clear, just as an early summer morning before sunrise. Also in that vein, Skylines is an eternally hopeful redemption, focusing on the light in a world gone dark.

The intro, “Let It Go”, opens with a slow build into the heavy territory of the mind. Skylines follows a pattern of ups and downs, and slow tempos to summit build-ups in a pleasing emotive fashion. Some of the many highlights include “Let It Go”, “Eloise”, “Chiburi”, “Alone”, “Mishima”, “Hard Luck”, “Ten Steps”, the title track “Skylines” and “Light Eyes”. All the while, Krief’s glistening electric guitar is always a major highlight in any song he incorporates his mastery into.

Skylines, simply put, is Patrick Krief’s best work to date, as he builds on all of his past experiences in his musical journey and continues to perfect his art.

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