- At its core, Lookout Low, the fourth album from Chicago band Twin Peaks is a folk rock album trying to appeal to a pop audience. Although their ‘subversive’ move from punk rock to folk pop does make certain tracks -like the first single Dance Through It- lose their charm, overall Lookout Low is an enjoyable album.
Opening track Casey’s Groove thrusts the listener into some of the warmest and most melodic instrumentation that the album offers. It’s clear pretty early on that Lookout Low is a lighter and less punk spin on Twin Peaks’ sound. Other early cuts in the album build upon a lighter, folk sound: Better Than Stoned is a swooning ballad with bright woodwind instrumentation and Laid in Gold, one of Lookout Low’s best songs, fully embraces Twin Peak’s new energy. Laid in Gold blends together Twin Peak’s country direction with a generous amount of twang.
It’s moments like this, where Lookout Low’s new direction feels earned as opposed to just a less heavy Twin Peaks record. The band are at their best here when they commit to the new sound. On the track Under A Smile, vocals are shared with the band OHMME which gives the latter half of the record a breath of fresh air, complementing the breezy vibe. Oh Mama, perhaps the best track on the record, features more grand and lush instrumentation over its just-shy-of-six-minute runtime. With howling shouts that unify the band and special guests, the driving guitars give the song an organic touch that produces one of the most well-rounded sounding numbers in the band’s career.
Aside from the Dance Through Its of Lookout Low, the album proves to be an interesting voyage into sonic experimentation from Twin Peaks. Whether or not, they continue in this folky direction, they’ve proven that they can embrace change. Hopefully their fans can embrace it too.
- Sean Tayler.