The Twilight Sad is a critically acclaimed band, and certainly underrated, but no one expected them to be so industrious. Their last album, Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave was released in 2014. It provided the foundation for their most recent release, the Òran Mór Session, a live session recorded in Glasgow’s Òran Mór. The Òran Mór Session was initially self-released last year as a limited edition tour-only EP, yet now includes three further tracks. The Twilight Sad has finally created an album where vocals are at the core, but the group has lost the original energy from its previous work
The first track, “Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave,” is totally different from the version performed live. It has lost much of its driving force and is left bare and raw, due to the emphasis on the vocal lines rather than in the instrumental melodies. Whilst vocalist James Graham’s vocals are audible and powerful, it would be hard to imagine hardcore fans of the studio release adapting to and enjoying this new sound.
This is a consistent theme throughout the album. The quieter, live sound creates problems. Each tracks now sounds far less distinct from one another. In the pursuit of a new sound, the band has lost the individuality that they once possessed.
That is not to say that the album does not have its triumphs. “Drown So I can Watch,” “The Airport,” and “Leave the House” are its saving graces. “The Airport”, which was initially a B-side and left off of their studio release, is a track where the emphasis on the lyrics truly makes a difference. Graham’s passion and emotion are more than evident. The repetition of the lyric “tell me that you’re all so scared” encapsulates the album’s intentions, hauntingly compelling the listener to delve into the emotion of the song.
The Twilight Sad have tried to do something new with this live session, attempting to release recordings where the vocals are front and center. This shifting perspective and new way for the listener to approach these songs, however, have come at a cost; the excitement and energy of the tracks have been diminished. Whilst it’s an emotive and powerful album, The Òran Mór Session is likely to appeal only to a select number of The Twilight Sad’s fanbase.
Voice’s Choices: “The Airport,” “Leave the House”
