The Drums continue to embrace the self-indulgence of heartbreak and playful (yet honest) self-deprecation with their fourth album, "Abysmal Thoughts." While keeping true to their signature new wave melodies influenced by the likes of Orange Juice and Joy Division, the lyricism follows the moody poetic path of The Smiths.
The Drums' influences meld together with their own unique interpretation of dance tempos and sad lyrics that depict failed attempts at functioning relationships, the addiction of nostalgic daydreaming, and the intensity of loving and losing someone you should've never been with in the first place. While the subject matter of this album isn't by any means original, Jonny Pierce's use of paradoxes, repetition, and unapologetic lyrics somehow transforms these themes into refreshingly truthful ballads
The album opens with the dreamy and dreary anthem of self-examination, "Mirror." While the drums pick up and carry you to an infectious chorus, it's hard not to sway through that existential crisis that Pierce howls about.
The second track is a fast paced fever dream of naive infatuation and a teenager's idea of what it means to be in love. While Pierce promises to fight for his lover's life, it's hard not to imagine that house party where you lusted after a hot mess you should've stayed clear of. Just like those intense feelings of drunken love, the song ends abruptly but conclusively.
When "Blood Under My Belt" was released as a single, I couldn't help but grieve for the bittersweet pop anthem. Soon enough all the Sad Art Boys will hijack this genuine song of personal downfalls and the desperation of keeping a relationship together after an unforgivable mistake to use as a siren call for their Manic Pixie Dream Girls. The reverb and layers of staccato guitar riffs give Pierce's confession of hurting a loved one--while begging them for a second chance under the guise of self-awareness and repentance--a deeper sound than anything from "Portamento."
One
of the strongest songs on the album, "Head of the Horse," opens with a
static, echoing dialogue of introductions and a bubbly "welcome" before
the guitar and Jonny's soft "oohs" lull through the speakers. The
dysphoric anecdote of coming out is coupled with the repeating line, "he
hugged me when I came home" which transforms into "this would be the
last hug" and finally ends as, "please hug me when I come home." It's
the loneliest, most heart-wrenching track of the album that evokes an
overwhelming amount of empathy and the realization that everyone who
grew up seeking approval and love will walk around adulthood as empty
children if we continue to sift through that shoebox of memories.
The
continuance of creating uplifting, jumpy yet flowing melodies with the
backdrop of a lover's nihilistic soliloquies is something that Pierce
has developed to perfection. While any listener can tell the influences
that brought The Drums' iconic synth, sad dream pop to fruition, it's
undeniable that their sound is a much needed indulgent reflection of
what it means to experience love, loss, and life in a world where
nothing seems to matter--the bonus being you can dance around in your
room to heartbreak and memories of toxic relationships.