Staff Reviews

Owen Pallett - In Conflict

Review by Ben Philpott

This is art set loose on pop with its teeth bared.»

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Owen Pallett returns with his fourth solo album. The follow-up to 2010's 'Heartland' is called 'In Conflict' and is released by Domino. Written and produced by Pallett, the album spans 13 tracks and features contributions from Brian Eno (who supplies vocals, as well as synth- and guitar-work) and the Czech Film harmonic Orchestra. Fresh off an Oscar nomination, Pallett's never sounded more confident, more interesting; the way he sets high, keening strings or pizzicato pluckings against his pop-songs stitching complexity and the unexpected into tunes you can still carol along to. But there's a rising electronic pulse on In Conflict, something largely unheard in the Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett canon thus far. Inviting input from Brian Eno, Pallett favours flickering electronics and uneasy ambience; sounds that often run counter to the driving melodies heard elsewhere. Befitting 'In Conflict's title, Pallett uses these elements to create contrast within songs, and clashes going from song-to-song; working with deliberately jarring effect as the record jolts from electronic ('The Sky Behind The Flag') to romantic ('The Secret Seven') to bombastic ('The Riverbed') as it goes.
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