Photo by Maria Jefferis for Redferns via Getty Images
It's honestly kind of a blessing to have Godspeed You! Black Emperor back on a regular recording and touring schedule in this decade. Where else can we get the feeling of listening to music that sounds like destruction and rebirth during a time where it feels like both are occurring everywhere? Okay, well, maybe it's not that deep, but the Montreal band is still capable of summoning up gales of guitar and strings like no one else can, and after a short promo cycle, you can listen to them do what they do best on their new album Luciferian Towers, which is now streaming on NPR.The record is actually slight for a GY!BE release: none of the songs stretch over 20 minutes, the lengthy drones are kept to a minimum, and the harrowing field recordings that marked the band's early work are totally absent. Of course, "slight" for these guys still means "15-minute instrumental epics, split into movements" so some things never change. They're better off not changing, too; again, no one has taken this band's lane yet and GY!BE delivering their unique thrills in their most easily digestible package yet (a svelte 43 minutes) is a great and wonderful thing. Well, what are you waiting for? Stream Luciferian Towers here.Phil is on Twitter.
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