The Longer This Goes On

解散から7年、ニュージャージーのインディ・ロック・バンド、フォース・ワンダラーズの新作が完成。
不確実な未来をも捉えた珠玉の楽曲で構成される奇跡のサード・アルバム『ザ・ロンガー・ディス・ゴーズ・オン』、サブ・ポップよりリリース。

In 2018, New Jersey five-piece Forth Wanderers landed on the greater indie rock scene with a self-titled debut issued by the revered Sub Pop label, which helped amplify the bands melodic, angular, and angsty tunes. The albums track list was rock-solid, and although it didnt break them onto the bigger album charts, it did make fans of many critics and indie kids alike. It was unfortunate, then, that the group canceled a planned tour in support of the debut that included some plum festival dates, citing a newly diagnosed mental-health issue later revealed to be singer/songwriter Ava Trillings panic disorder. Trilling and guitarist/co-songwriter Ben Guterl didnt meet up again until the summer of 2021, when, after catching up for hours in Brooklyn, Guterl asked Trilling if she wanted to try making music again. Feeling less pressure under the current circumstances, she said yes, and the original lineup eventually reconvened in the studio. This backstory informs much of the bands Sub Pop-issued sophomore album, The Longer This Goes On. It captures Forth Wanderers working more collaboratively this time around and experimenting with various styles, tempos, and moods. Having said that, its nothing if not another set of prickly indie rock bangers, but its one that roves into druggy psychedelia ("To Know Me/To Love Me"), surfy retro-rock ("Honey"), country-rock ("Spit"), and slinky bass-interlude music ("Make Me"). A track like "Barnard" is unadulterated noise pop, and the comeback ditty "7 Months" is a skittery indie rocker that shows off Trillings effortless way with rhythmic wordplay ("Youll stick with me babe/You know I got aw huh, aw huh"). Irresistibly off-balance and hooky, the under-half-hour album affirms that the bands charisma is no worse for wear. ~ Marcy Donelson

紅一点メンバーがフロントに立つニュージャージーの5人組による18年の活動休止以来7年ぶりの新作。歪み、揺れ、残響を駆使したギター2本のアンサンブルはインディー・ロックの王道と言えるものながら、90sオルタナを鳴らす一方で、バラードの"Honey"に顕著なようにオールディーな感性が滲むところに魅力を感じる。"7 Months"は彼ら流のサーフ・ロックの趣も。
bounce (C)山口智男