I Don't Know

デビュー作が話題を呼んだ英ハル出身のシューゲイザー・カルテット、ベッドルーム。モグワイのレーベル、ロック・アクションと契約し、待望のセカンド・アルバム『I Don't Know』をリリース。

2020年のデビュー・アルバム『Bedroom』のリリース後、数々のシングルをリリースしてきたハル出身のシューゲイザー・カルテット、bdrmmが、Mogwaiのレーベル、Rock Actionと契約。待望のセカンド・アルバム『I Don't Know』をリリースする。
デビュー作同様、このアルバムもリーズのスタジオ、The Naveで、長年のコラボレーターであるAlex Greaves(Working Men'sClub、Bo Ningen)と共にレコーディングされた。2020年、世界がソーシャル・ディスタンスをとる中、ポストシューゲイズ/ドリーム・ポップの4人組は、若いバンドなら誰もが夢見るような衝撃をデビュー・アルバムで与えた。「先見性のあるシューゲイザー」(Clash)、「ロックダウン中のアンダーグラウンド・ヒットの一つ」(Guardian)と『Bedroom』は評され、NMEはアルバムに5つ星をつけて、「現代のシューゲイズ・クラシック」とアルバムを絶賛した。
bdrmm are: Ryan Smith (guitar, vocals) / Jordan Smith (bass, synth and vocals)Conor Murray (drums) / Joe Vickers (guitar)

On their 2020 debut album, British group bdrmm evoked shoegaze and dream pop as well as airy post-punk, space rock, and Krautrock on a set of songs that addressed heavy subjects such as mental health and substance abuse. An unexpected success, the release received BBC Radio One airplay as well as enthusiastic press, and the group eventually toured with Mogwai and signed to their Rock Action label. The bands second full-length, I Dont Know, reflects bdrmms expanded pool of influences, which still include all manner of dreamy, hypnotic rock music, as well as ambient, dance, and classical, incorporating a greater presence of synths and atmospheric textures. "Alps" opens the album with lightly pulsating kick drums and rising synth clouds, clearing up when lead singer Ryan Smith appears and delivers lyrics expressing hopelessness and despair. When Conor Murrays drumming surfaces, his jazzy versatility complements the subtle sparkle of the glimmering synth sequences. "Be Careful" starts with a clean, tasteful trip-hop rhythm, soon joined by swirling guitars and cautious lyrics. "Its Just a Bit of Blood" melds a driving motorik rhythm to anthemic post-Britpop vocals, pausing as Smiths soaring voice asks "Where did my heart go?" over gently ticking beats, then working back up to a full acceleration. "Advertisement One" is an ambient exploration with Harold Budd-like pianos, droning guitars, nature recordings, and slowly sweeping beats that gradually drift out with the tide. On the bubbly-sounding yet deeply introspective "Hidden Cinema," Smith endlessly mulls over regretful decisions and seeks an exit from the vicious cycle. The more aggressive and noisy "Pulling Stitches" is the albums only track that feels truly deserving of the shoegaze tag, conveying disbelief and alienation with a forceful gale of blown-out guitars. Much like bdrmms first album, I Dont Know pulls from several different styles but feels united by its lyrical themes and moods. The group still seem like theyre working towards achieving a distinctive sound, and it feels like they havent fully figured out how to integrate some of their more recent influences into their music. Still, the band is consistently inventive, the production is generally fantastic, and the album has several strong moments. ~ Paul Simpson

UKドリーム・ポップ/シューゲイザーの新鋭がモグワイのレーベルからセカンド・アルバムをリリース。ハウス・サウンド、80年代UKネオ・サイケ調、ネオ・クラシカルなピアノ・インスト、轟音ギターが鳴る正調シューゲイザーと曲ごとに変化をつけながら、歌ものにこだわらないアンビエントなアプローチを推進。その志向は音色の柔らかさと裏腹に思いの外、急進的だ。
bounce (C)山口智男