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And Number 1 in Drowned in Sound's Songs of the Year (So Far) is...
LOW - 'Try To Sleep'
With ‘Try To Sleep’ Low capture every aspect and nuance of their style whilst being bigger, bolder and more majestic. Based on a single chord pattern axis and one verse melody line (that makes up 80 per cent of the song) it is a perfect loop. ‘Try To Sleep’ can be played on repeat endlessly as it’s very motion and pace is complete perfection, only improving and engulfing you more with each repetition. The heartache it summons is beautiful and sways like a soloing violin, the gentle ebb of Arvo Part, the ache of Gorecki. It’s simple, but not minimal, unlike much of Low’s work which is so large in scope due to a lack of volume, enforcing ‘hard’ listening to (wonderfully) explode the hushed. This kicks out rapturously in the soporific haze of a pealing xylophone. It’s only a song, but like all truly great art it goes much further, it sincerely and profoundly affects it’s audience. It’s a spell, a song that strikes far beyond its composite musical notes and arrangements, with complete surrender the only possible reaction.
Jon Falcone
Alan Sparhawk from Low performed Try To Sleep exclusively for DiS earlier this year:
You can also listen listen to the song, and all the top 25, here: http://drownedinsoundcloud.com // http://facebook.com/drownedinsound
Marks out of ten for Low - Try To Sleep?