Singer Matt Kivel Embraces Dissonant New Sound

Matt Kivel's latest album, Janus, signifies a notable evolution from his established spare and hushed folk sound. The Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter's first two LPs cultivated a consistent mood of quiet tension, emphasizing negative space in both visuals and music.

Janus, however, presents a vibrant and dense sonic palette, a stark contrast to its predecessors. Recorded in Glasgow under the production of Alasdair Roberts, the album features local musicians creating friction and conflict within Kivel's typically structured songs.

The 10 tracks juxtapose Kivel's languid vocals and deft guitar work with chaotic, noisy intrusions. This deliberate dissonance disrupts the listener's expectations, creating a pointedly off-putting yet invigorating experience. Songs like "Violets" and "Prime Meridian" exemplify this approach.

Lyrically, Janus delves into the lonely confusion of love and lust, with cryptic phrases that invite multiple interpretations. The song "Jamie's" stands out, tackling a young woman's struggle with sexual identity in a raw, matter-of-fact narrative style amplified by sharp, distorted interjections.

This bold experimentation, particularly evident in "Jamie's," underscores overwhelming emotions and adds a sense of risk to the album. Janus ultimately thrives on these sonic gambits, delivering a burst of harsh, vivid color even as its arrangements sometimes fall apart.