+- is the sixth album released by Mew, a Danish rock band who explores indie and alternative influences in their music. Following their acclaimed fifth album treleased in 2009, No More Stories Are Told Today, I’m Sorry They Washed Away // No More Stories, The World Is Grey, I’m Tired, Let’s Wash Away, (often abbreviated as No More Stories..), this newest album marks the return of original bassist Johan Wolhert, who was notably absent on the last album.
A flawlessly produced album, +- perfectly showcases the clean, beautiful vibe that weaves together the variety of sounds Mew employs across their album. After their decision to leave Sony Records and self-produce this release with some assistance from producer Michael Beinhorn, Mew has found a way to not only maintain but also improve their production value since their last album six years ago.
After six years without an album, and upon the release of this album, Mew still finds a way to create a musical release that is simultaneously progressive, accessible, challenging and beautiful.
Showcasing what guitarist Bo Madsen describes as “indie stadium,” Mew’s sound is as magnificent and epic on this latest release as it has been throughout the entirety of their musical career.
Featuring a variety of instruments across the entire album, the band’s core relies on precise guitar riffs and rhythms, superbly subtle bass accompaniment and powerful percussion from drummer Silas Utke Graae Jørgensen. This sound is topped by the angelic vocals of lead singer Jonas Bjerre, who displays his full vocal range across the album.
From moodier, more ethereal songs like “Witness,” to upbeat driven hits like “My Complications,” Mew retains an ability to explore a wide range of stylistic changes, all the while demonstrating an outstanding level of intensity and energy.
+- features dense instrumentation and includes piano and various synth parts at perfect moments throughout the album. With beats engineered for the first time on this album by Frank Filipetti, who most recently won his sixth Grammy for work on The Book of Mormon, Mew very subtly embraces digital accompaniment throughout this album, while staying true to their sound as songwriters.
On “Making Friends,” brass and string synth parts are featured alongside hollow percussion, ranging from tambourine to chimes to what sounds like vocal clicking and bucket drumming. Fuzzy lead guitar parts complement the instrumentation wall created by piano and synth rhythms. Following an intense chorus, the song features beautiful reverberating vocals which drift and linger throughout the bridge, and eventually end the song.
Perhaps their most ambitious song yet, “Rows” surpasses the 10-minute mark, but does so with such ease and flawless execution that it is easy to get lost in its beauty. With tape-echoed guitars, the song opens with a line including “anything you can wish for you can do.”
The dreamy power of this line immerses you in the musical adventure of this song, drifting across movements of flickering rhythm guitars, swelling synths and gorgeous piano accompaniment.
As the penultimate song on this track, its vast, epic power feels reminiscent of post-rock bands like Sigur Rós or Lights & Motion, all while holding on to the distinct Mew flair.
“Cross The River On Your Own,” the closing track on the album, opens with wide reverb and a moody guitar riff in a 6/8 time signature. The chorus is brought in with a bang of percussion, piano and guitar accompaniment and lovely harmonic vocals.
The vocals are lush and bittersweet and cascade into a short guitar solo. As the percussion and instrumental wall begins to drift away, the audience is left with a high pitched synth drone and a sole piano. Ending its line on a discordant low note, the piano maintains a feeling of uncertainty and unease as it fades out and ends the album.
+- may be Mew’s most powerful album yet. Experimenting while retaining Mew’s distinctive sound, this album is seamlessly romantic and epic in its scope, simultaneously reaching for the stars while immersing listeners in a sea of beautiful songwriting. The latest in an impressive line of album releases, Mew’s +- will easily be one of the best alternative rock albums released this year.
Unfortunately, Mew is currently only touring through parts of Europe and will appear in Japan’s Summer Sonic festival. Fans can still purchase the band’s latest album on iTunes or stream the tracks for free on Spotify.
