{"id":93594,"date":"2023-03-27T17:30:23","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T21:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/panm360.com\/?post_type=records&p=93594"},"modified":"2023-03-27T17:30:25","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T21:30:25","slug":"unknown-mortal-orchestra-v","status":"publish","type":"records","link":"https:\/\/panm360.com\/en\/records\/unknown-mortal-orchestra-v\/","title":{"rendered":"Unknown Mortal Orchestra – V"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As one of the contemporary indie genre\u2019s most beloved names, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (A.K.A. Ruban Nielson) has had larger shoes to fill with each record. Since his 2011 debut, Nielson has only refined and improved upon his signature sound, managing to turn it on its head each time without ever compromising the central aesthetic that only he can create. It should then come as no surprise that UMO\u2019s latest project, V<\/em>, is Nielson\u2019s best album to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were waiting for an utter departure from UMO\u2019s characteristic sound, this is not the album for you (the SB<\/em> collections would be the place to start). However, V <\/em>stands as a clear elevation of Unknown Mortal Orchestra\u2019s sound, delivering something completely distinct from the rock-driven Sex & Food <\/em>(2018), the woozy Multi-Love <\/em>(2015), or anything else in UMO\u2019s outstanding catalogue. V <\/em>delivers everything we know, love, and expect, including jazzy, classically-inspired arrangements, massive musical phrases that meander around each song\u2019s core, and a one-of-a-kind aesthetic dripping in a lo-fi, yet meticulously manicured tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a whole, V <\/em>delivers an extremely cohesive landscape to steadily groove to. From the opening track “The Garden,” with its soaring guitar solo and irresistible beat, to “The Widow” and its evocative instrumental odyssey, to “I Killed Captain Cook” with its insane finger style guitar and classic gravelly vocals. Each song demonstrates a slightly new shade of Nielson\u2019s inspiration and perspective, shedding light on one of indie music\u2019s more enigmatic artists.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

V<\/em> is almost the perfect sequel\u2014offering more of what we love, only bigger and better. So why almost perfect? Because we’ve heard the first single from this album, “Weekend Run” in June 2021, almost two years ago. UMO released six (excellent) singles in total for this album, which is shocking considering the so-called double LP itself only has 14 songs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artists and their labels must truly consider whether the extra streaming profits are worth an album arriving half-stale on release, as this one did for me. Despite these annoying capitalist practices, Unknown Mortal Orchestra has once again proven the ever-expanding depth of his musical ability, crafting an hour of music with V<\/em> that truly must be heard to be believed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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