If the relative warmth and hopefulness of 2011's
C'mon
and 2013's
The Invisible Way
had you wondering if
Low
were starting to get happy on us after all these years, don't fret -- 2015's
Ones and Sixes
shows
Alan Sparhawk
and
Mimi Parker
have not lost touch with their somber slowcore roots. While
's two previous albums boasted production and instrumental accompaniment that brought out an emotional generosity that was a real change from the cool isolation of their best-known work, for
the group and producer
BJ Burton
have opted for a stark and chilly sound, dominated by electronic pulsebeats and waves of polished noise that give the songs a spare, alien backdrop. One of the greatest strengths of
's work for
Sub Pop
has been the beauty of
Sparhawk
Parker
's vocals, with their harmonies sounding even stronger and more effective with the passage of time, and that's just as true on
, as the humanity of their voices gives this music a hint of body heat and warm breath in spite of the brushed aluminum sound of much of the album. And though the electronics often dominate, the group's guitars and keyboards are still a key part of the arrangements.
is a brave effort that stands apart from much of
's work, putting the dour beauty of their music into a new context. ~ Mark Deming