If the relative warmth and hopefulness of 2011's
C'mon and 2013's
The Invisible Way had you wondering if
Low were starting to get happy on us after all these years, don't fret -- 2015's
Ones and Sixes shows
Alan Sparhawk and
Mimi Parker have not lost touch with their somber slowcore roots. While
Low's two previous albums boasted production and instrumental accompaniment that brought out an emotional generosity that was a real change from the cool isolation of their best-known work, for
Ones and Sixes the group and producer
BJ Burton have opted for a stark and chilly sound, dominated by electronic pulsebeats and waves of polished noise that give the songs a spare, alien backdrop. One of the greatest strengths of
Low's work for
Sub Pop has been the beauty of
Sparhawk and
Parker's vocals, with their harmonies sounding even stronger and more effective with the passage of time, and that's just as true on
Ones and Sixes, as the humanity of their voices gives this music a hint of body heat and warm breath in spite of the brushed aluminum sound of much of the album. And though the electronics often dominate, the group's guitars and keyboards are still a key part of the arrangements.
Ones and Sixes is a brave effort that stands apart from much of
Low's work, putting the dour beauty of their music into a new context. ~ Mark Deming
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