Black Midi - Cavalcade

On their follow-up to their 2019 record Schlagenheim Black Midi presents a more focused and avant-garde record, while keeping the trademark aesthetics that I think we have come to expect from the band. Right from the start with John L, Black Midi starts out with powerful strings, drums, and guitar riffs that sink you right into the world of the band. It feels carefully constructed, but not in a tedious way. Every single sound, from the strings to the vocals, feels like it was carefully placed to make these wonderful layers that each time you listen to it you will pick up on something new. This type of execution actually reminds me a lot of Frank Zappa and how he crafted his music, so it is great to see a band doing it in the modern age. While on the first record it was apparent that bands like Slint and Talking Heads were inspirations, on this record they have established their own sound. This unique sound I believe is seen the most when Black Midi decides to use their instruments for one specific purpose, like on Chondromalacia Patella with the guitar riffs at the end of the song, or the crescendo at the end of John L. The uniqueness that Black Midi brings is their most valuable asset and is what makes me excited for the future. The band is shaping up to be one of the most prolific bands of the 2020s and it’s pretty easy to see why.