Before I heard even one note of this new album from Brooklyn’s Miserable Chillers aka multi-instrumentalist Miguel Gallego, I was instantly drawn in by the stunning cover art. My brain was sparked and the artwork drove me to want to know what this projects music sounded like and what made them want to make it.
This is a very organic sounding album full of melodic yet desolate guitar work that paints a very emotional picture. The first track “A Bird And A Phone Call Mistaken” makes me think of the scenery on a bleak yet hopeful day while taking a train ride somewhere in the city. The tones are crisp and warm with a kind balance of intensity and ease.
“He Did Believe Dimly In A Democracy Of Ghosts” has a nice shuffling feel that floats and glides. Imagine laying on a cozy blanket on a bright spring day watching the clouds roll through.
Things switch up a bit on the incredibly well composed piano piece “Watching The Movie “Safe” Over Facetime”. The best way I can describe this track is “ambient-jazz”. There are also slight hints at music-concrete or sound collaging but overall it’s more straight forward than that.
The more experimental “What’s Gonna Do” is possibly the closest thing I’ve heard to a Mike Oldfield track in years. It draws you in and bends your mind in all the right ways. It’s tracks like this and the next piece “Boys In The Mist” that really solidify this record as something special because at the half way point of the album it’s still fresh and compelling.
I absolutely love the mix of gritty guitars and organ sounds that carry throughout “The History Of Bells”. There’s a rawness to it all that’s really the perfect balance of melody and noise and serves as the perfect lead in to the brilliant “Very-Violet-Sweet”.
“He Did Believe Dimly In A Democracy Of Ghosts II” bring the album to a close in uplifting fashion. There’s so many amazing things going on in this piece and throughout this entire recording that I could go on and on about for days on end but you should really just take it all in for yourself by clicking the link here. You’ll be happy you did. Thanks to Miguel for composing and recording this incredible release.
