Less than a year and a half ago Constant smiles published ‘Paragon (Sacred Bones, 21), an act that, after three previous albums and in part thanks to being signed by the iconic Sacred Bones label, has finally buzzed the radar around North America. However, the shifting line-up managed by Ben Jones – the main architect of the matter – has certainly received less attention than it deserves, given the inherent quality of an album that left excellent vibes in its wake.
This continuity confirms the impressions, pointing to a decidedly interesting group that, despite not inventing anything, manages the elements well and has a nose for creating songs between good and great within their own coordinates. Specifically, the group moves from indie folk work (with a certain penchant for leaning toward American style or jangle-pop) to shoegaze-leaning rambunctious environments, of the melodic and even elegant genre that likes to embrace pop motifs. This is what happens in the sequence that begins with the lucid fantasy (and almost post-punk) of “look for ways” It ended in a coherent fashion with a formal six minutes of “again”. In between, other notable figures slip through, such as “gold is like water”the one “in my heart”Like gems “here and go” And “I hope you are well”or the eighties “I am next to you”.
Yes good Kenneth Unger Layable half a step short of its predecessor, the album as a whole invites you to scurry to its delicious textures and dive in search of those more prized cuts that the Wills in question includes. In short, an act of greedy enough to keep thinking about it Constant smiles The most reliable group and, by the way, also one of those that have good taste and are completely recommended without fear of subsequent reproaches.
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