Released:
Rating:
Despite the bleakness and uncertainty, ultimately it’s an album of hope and beauty.
Label: Merge
Released: 16th February 2018
Rating: ★★★★
Canadian post-punkers Ought are a restless band. They’re a defined by tension and pressure. Consumed by a desire to explore all the torture, cruelty and beauty of the modern world. They take this observational quality to the next level on their thrilling third album ‘Room Inside The World’.
This is a more considered and focused album than they’ve produced before. It’s the sound of Ought truly mastering their craft and focusing on their concerns with razor-sharp precision. At the heart of everything is the magnetic presence of singer Tim Darcy who’s idiosyncratic and frenetic character provides a constant source of intrigue. On The Cure-like rumble of opener ‘Into The Sea’ he sounds fevered and disgusted while on ‘Desire’, he sounds becalmed and tender augmented by a glorious gospel choir.
There’s a range and depth to the album that hasn’t quite been there before. This diversity allows for different sounds and approaches. They’re a band moving beyond their typical post-punk roots. Despite the bleakness and uncertainty, ultimately it’s an album of hope and beauty. Ought recognise that these are difficult times but salvation in knowing yourself and believing in what’s right is still possible. Martyn Young
