the raveonettes - lust lust lust

It’s a simple formula. Take catchy, retro-inspired melodies and rough them up a bit. That way you get the influences on your sleeve without being assailed for being derivative. The Raveonettes new album Lust Lust Lust has its influences tattooed in the production style informing each retro-infused track: The Jesus and Mary Chain. Channeling the 80s noise pop group, this album finds the Raveonettes juxtaposing catchy melodic pop with lo-fi production and heavy distortion. It is an album steeped in contrasts, where the sweet vocals and facile melodies are invariably subsumed by a background of heavy feedback, distortion, and reverb. Even the pacing between the textures plays to dramatic contrasts, instead of building up to feedback climaxes the screeching guitar squalls abruptly enter the scene with no portent then equally abruptly cut back to the song’s softer elements. —one which the Raveonettes seem ever ready to allude to—shared vocals between boy and girl, a song titled “Black/White,” and the black and white video for dead sounds.

To be fair, this album isn’t exceptional because it manipulates dynamics and production elements. And in fact, the least exciting songs on the album—“You want the Candy,” “Blush”—float by only on their conspicuous aesthetic contrasts and fall flat after a few listens. What makes the album memorable, rather than merely novel, are the rhythmic intricacies and precise song construction of its better tracks. “Dead Sound,” begins with feedback heavy guitar intro and bridges and its sweet and smooth vocal phrasing is punctuated by crisp, steady drum beats. Feedback fuzz surrounds the metallic guitar vibratos. “Black/White” is suffused with mystery, and the duo trades their standard saccharine vocals for a more seductive phrasing. A pumped looping bass darts stealthily as a tin like drum rhythm interpolates the movement like a thousand cheerleaders clapping in unison. “Sad Transmission” is soaked in reverb, its individual instrumental pieces indistinguishable from one another. The most retro vocals on the album merge with the instrumental haziness creating a haunting feel.

Lust Lust Lust is a dense and exquisitely crafted album that requires high volumes and focused listening. It may not hook you at first, but give it a few headphone listens and you won't be disappointed.