Xiu Xiu's 'Always': Pain Amplified, Fresh Angles Found

Xiu Xiu's new album, 'Always,' continues the band's tradition of exploring magnified pain and horror. The project features a diverse range of songs, including the pro-choice anthem "I Luv Abortion" and the piano ballad "The Oldness," all bound by provocative lyrics. While listeners might be desensitized to their typical sound, the band manages to introduce fresh elements.

This is achieved through the skillful arrangement of thorny lyrical content across varied instrumentals. The most successful tracks on 'Always' lean towards a poppier, more breathy style. For instance, Jamie Stewart sings about his brother's domestic struggles on "Joey's Song" against a backdrop of lush, shoegaze-inspired synth-pop, creating an alluring juxtaposition of dark themes with unexpectedly rich melodies.