Built wholly from synthesizers (thats right, no guitars), live drums, and the familiar warmth of Bazans syrupy vocal delivery, Headphones boasts deft arrangements with timeless melodies and uncanny lyrical depth, finding Bazan at his best. Clean, open room recording; digital subtleties with analog affectations; seamless integration of electronic and rock and elements Headphones is a striking, sophisticated success.
Fans of Bazan's past efforts will feel comfortable here, but also challenged and excited by a new chapter in his book of classic songwriting. Headphones poses a stark simplicity, relying on a limited number of voices reminiscent of early records by Low. Thematically, Headphones treads dark waters where a certain frankness and antagonism work to confront issues of love, loss and loyalty headon straight forward, no bullshit, no fucking around.
