Braids
Deep in the Iris (Flemish Eye)
Most of Braids' repertoire has felt like reaching in the dark for the light switch. They have an inherent leaning toward layers, textures and sonic emotions that can often blend in with the vocals so much that the music becomes murky. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but on their third record, Deep in the Iris, we see the Montreal-via-Calgary trio let the mud settle, allowing a clearer, more focused approach to their music prevail.
Lead vocalist Raphaelle Standell takes centre stage more than ever, delivering an honest, raw lyrical assault, touching on subjects such as slut-shaming, abuse and finding strength in unlikely places. In "Miniskirt", Standell could almost be a young Tori Amos, delivering the lyrics "in my position I'm the slut, i'm the bitch, i'm the whore, the one you hate". It's an unlikely feminist anthem, filled with a controlled angst over simple synthesizer arrangements. In "Getting Tired", a soft and dreamy piano plays with a feathery shuffling drum pattern as Standell contemplates a stagnate relationship.
A press release said the band retreated to various rustic locations to write and recordIris, where they allowed themselves to be "bare and vulnerable before one another". As a result, the band comes across as relaxed, focused and more human than ever before.
Rating:★★★1/2
