El Kempner
continues to engage more deeply with themes of love and compassion on
Black Friday
, the third long-player from their Boston-based combo
Palehound
. Originally launched as a solo bedroom project back in 2013,
Kempner
spent a few years making
into a sturdy indie rock trio, though it's still their voice and vision that comprise the heart and soul of each release. Without introducing any dramatic changes to their approach,
continues to lean toward
's more contemplative side, eschewing some of the rowdier fuzz-pop tendencies of earlier releases. Since the beginning, their strengths as a songwriter have been the bedrock of
and the lo-fi, '90s-indebted indie production merely the chosen vessel for their world-weary introspections. On this 12-song set, they turn their sensitive gaze toward the many layers and complexities surrounding relationships: with themself, friends, partners, family, and others. Themes of loss and longing color opener "Company," a surprisingly lush, synth-rich cut that sets the table for the deeply affecting "Aaron," a sweetly hypnotic album highlight written in support of their transitioning partner. Their voice soft and intimate over gently picked electric guitar,
's knack for pairing misty melodies with undercurrents of power makes for some captivating architecture throughout. That dance between fragility and strength provides the human element that makes songs like "Bullshit" and the title track so attractive and relatable. As a writer,
's antennae are acutely tuned in to the heart's dizzying range of emotions, and with
, their connection remains as strong as ever. ~ Timothy Monger