SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: WATER FROM YOUR EYES – IT’S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE

WATER FROM YOUR EYES
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE
MATADOR RECORDS

Over the past few years, Water From Your Eyes has emerged as one of the most creative bands currently working. Their newest release, It’s A Beautiful Place, was one of my most anticipated records of the year, and I was not disappointed at all. Water From Your Eyes has created an outstanding masterpiece.

It’s A Beautiful Place has not one, not two, but three of the best songs of the year. Water From Your Eyes go all in with the hectic mosh pit-inducing “Life Signs”. Rachel Brown’s deadpan spoken word vocal style fits perfectly with this song and adds to the raw, fiery energy of it. Nate Amos absolutely shreds on the guitar and bombards the listener with some noisy, hardcore, punky, metal mayhem. Numerous chaotic moments on this track hit hard. On the flip side, the chorus is ethereal and transcendent. “Nights In Armor” is one of the catchiest tunes of the year. Brown’s stunning vocals gorgeously glide through the fascinatingly creative soundscape, which ranges from majestic bedroom pop with beautifully shimmering guitars and dreamy melodies to hard rock with heavy, explosive guitars and commanding drumming. It manages to be both sweetly charming and exhilaratingly badass. Meanwhile, the Charli XCX-inspired “Playing Classics” deserves to be the next big club hit. The synth beats, fun energy, danceable disco rhythms, and hypnotically wonky piano line are undeniably infectious. Additionally, Amos delivers some memorable riffs, and Brown’s vocals are sublime.

Along with the three standout tracks, the rest of the album is magnificent as well. The folk-rock tune “Blood on the Dollar” has a relaxing, meditative feel to it, which is a result of Brown’s mesmerizing vocals and Amos’ mellow country-esque guitar playing. Meanwhile, the psychedelic space rocker “Spaceship” is super complex and expansive with lots of dynamic layers in play. Lastly, instrumental tracks like the majestic “You Don’t Believe In God?” see Water From Your Eyes experimenting with some intriguing textures.

Overall, It’s A Beautiful Place is ambitious, eclectic, elaborate, and gripping. This is a record that all music lovers need to give a listen.

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