Windsor for the Derby Revisits 90s Ambient Roots on New Album

Windsor for the Derby, a band known for its indie rock sound, is delving back into its origins with their latest album, Against Love. This marks their eighth release and sees them revisiting the ambient-pop and drone elements that characterized their early work, particularly their 1996 debut, Calm Hades Float.

The new album attempts to reconcile their recent, more traditional song structures with their foundational ambient sound. Instrumental tracks on Against Love serve as connective tissue, with pieces like "Moon Shadows" evoking the drone textures of their first record. This sonic journey pays homage to their 90s roots.

Vocal tracks on the album range from quiet and reflective to cleaner and understated. "Cursed Ages" incorporates Krautrock-inspired keyboards, while "Autumn Song" features a downplayed vocal and atmospheric guitar. Conversely, "Our Love's a Calamity" offers a lighter sound with organ and unison singing, and "Dull Knives" features bright steel guitar.

Against Love presents a certain disunity due to its blend of earlier, less polished sounds and cleaner, modern songs. While the integration of these elements isn't entirely seamless, the individual tracks are compelling. Listeners may find themselves drawn to either the band's earlier loop-based approach or their more recent stylistic choices, leaving anticipation for their next musical direction.