Hello reader,
Welcome back. If this is your first time here, thanks for exploring SWT. We’re happy you are here.
Today, we’re going to delve into Lord Huron. They’re an indie rock band based in Los Angeles, whose current lineup consists of Mark Barry (drums, percussion), Miguel Briseño (bass, keyboard, theremin), Tom Renaud (guitar), and founder Ben Schneider (guitar, lead vocals). The music began after Schneider relocated to Los Angeles, having grown up in Michigan, studied in France, and then spent time in NYC. He created Lord Huron as a project inspired by Lake Huron. Schneider recorded a few EPs independently, including the self-released Into the Sun EP (2010) and the studio album Mighty EP (2010). He got support by enlisting other musicians to join him on stage during live shows.
Lord Huron released their third EP, Time to Run, and also their debut album, Lonesome Dreams, in 2012. This was followed by their second album, Strange Trails (2015), their third album, Vide Noir (2018), and their fourth album, Long Lost (2021). The albums garnered favorable praise from both music reviewers and fans. The band played to increasingly larger crowds in larger and more grandiose venues, gaining a sizable following on social media platforms and streaming sites and charting on the airwaves. Many consider Long Lost to be their best, most complete album to date. However, I’ll let you explore and decide for yourself.
And on Friday, July 18th, for your listening pleasure, comes their fifth album, Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, out via Mercury Records.
And now for some hype for your ears and eyes via the band’s YouTube Channel:
The video for the first song on the album, the wonderfully reflective “Looking Back”:
(All credits and rights to Lord Huron)
The chilling and exciting video for the earworm-worthy song “Nothing I Need”:
(All credits and rights to Lord Huron)
Does the titular question get an answer? Find out for yourself in the video for the song, “Who Laughs Last (feat. Kristen Stewart)”:
(All credits and rights to Lord Huron)
I believe that Lord Huron creates songs that are ideal for adventurous solo driving explorations. There’s a part in each and all of us that can relate to that on some level, with various degrees of seeking, adventure, and travel. Few are always On the Road for lengthy periods of their existence. Schneider has explained that his nighttime drives have been an inspiration for lyrics in the past. And while you listen to the songs on Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, it’s crystal clear that his drives are the vision for several of the songs within. Many of the songs would be good additions to a somber road playlist. They won’t have you dancing with glee per se, but in a reflective, contemplative, chill, not agitated state. In one, that no one will be harmed.
The adventure continues with a renewed search for meaning, among other things. The lyrics within this album are pensive yet engaged and well-crafted. The themes may be similar to previous releases, but there’s enough here to keep one interested and listening. I especially enjoyed the surge and strength of the songs at the beginning of the album. Russ Pahl is fucking phenomenal on steel guitar “Nothing I Need”. The song already is a gem in terms of composition, but the addition of pedal steel was brilliant. Similarly, the inclusion of multiple drummers and percussive musicians on the song, including Jay Joyce, who, in addition to percussion, also added depth via electric guitar and synths on “Nothing I Need.”
This is not a free-flowing one-to-the-next song concept album. The listening experience is not jarring, per se. It’s easy to listen to multiple times. Throughout the album, the melodies vary, but most are bold by design, allowing the band members, other featured musicians, and Schneider moments to shine. The band is in tight, top-notch form, executing to the high degree that you’d expect them to. You’ll hear the talent and creativity in composition throughout the album, featuring band members Mark Barry (drums, percussion), Miguel Briseño (bass, keyboard, theremin), Tom Renaud (guitar), and Schneider on guitar. Significant additions to this album include the great Kristen Stewart’s spoken word on “Who Laughs Last” and the wonderful Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino on “Fire Eternal,” delivering a softer tone, vocal melodies that match Schneider’s own more hushed tones, and a bouncy melody. Some standout musicians in the middle of the album include Spencer Zahn, who plays upright bass on “The Comedian.” The opening strings are simply gorgeous. Kudos to Tyler Cash on piano and keyboards for “Fire Eternal.”
Some standouts on the back end of the album include Sacha Schneider on piano, “The Comedian”, and harp on “Looking Back”, “Life is Strange”, and Ben Tolliday on cello on “Looking Back.” And we can’t end without giving massive kudos to the string & wind arrangements by Ben Schneider and Erik Arvinder. He also conducted the Stockholm Studio Orchestra on this release. And kudos to Henrik Langemyr for the music preparation. An orchestra featuring instrumentation that includes violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, alto flute, saxophones, trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, and tuba. Listener, where do you hear the orchestra come in? I think they added some beautiful music to the album.
No matter what happens on your journey, I hope you find what you’re looking for.
Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. That rating is relative to all new album releases this year so far. More specifically, I’d say in the lower portion of the 4.5 range, around the 84th percentile. As noted above, there’s plenty to like about this album. Is this the best Lord Huron release? That’s for you to decide, though I feel it fits in towards the top of their discography so far. Add this to your collection on the format of your choosing. Probably good to spin it on vinyl in your place and exist in a state of chill. And add this album to your road trip and walking/hiking playlist.
Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 Tracklisting [song length]
- Looking Back [3:55]
- Bag of Bones [4:05]
- Nothing I Need [3:33]
- Is There Anybody Out There [4:43]
- Who Laughs Last (feat. Kristen Stewart) [4:44]
- The Comedian [4:36]
- Watch Me Go [3:07]
- Fire Eternal (feat. Kazu Makino) [3:55]
- It All Comes Back [4:24]
- Used To Know [3:49]
- Digging Up The Past [3:15]
- Life Is Strange [5:01]
Total runtime: 48:07
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The listening process with Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 will take just 48 minutes from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, I found the songs highlighted in green font above to be my favorite songs on this album.
Like what you read and heard, check out Lord Huron’s site for more tour info, merch, their socials, and more.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
