The Year of The Radical Romantics＜限定盤＞

Fever Rayがライブ・アルバム『The Year of The Radical Romantics』をリリース。最新アルバム『Radical Romantics』収録曲のスタジオ・ライブ録音に加え、2017年の『Plunge』、2009年の『Fever Ray』収録の初期名曲の新解釈バージョンを収録。

Fever Rayが新たなライブ・アルバムをリリースする。『The Year of The Radical Romantics』は、Karin Dreijerのプロジェクト、Fever Rayによる2023年アルバム『Radical Romantics』を引っ提げた「There's No Place I'd Rather Be」ツアー中にレコーディングされた。『Radical Romantics』収録曲のスタジオ・ライブ録音に加え、2017年作『Plunge』からのハイライト、そしてツアーでDreijerを支えたミュージシャンたち(キーボードのMinna Koivisto、ドラムのRomarnaCampbell、キーター&ボーカルのMaryam NikandishとHelena Gutarra)による初期名曲の大胆な新解釈バージョンが収録される。

Whether with the Knife or Fever Ray, Karin Dreijers live albums are as essential to their body of work as their studio recordings. The Year of Radical Romantics is no exception, unifying Radical Romantics nervy energy, Fever Rays eerie intimacy, and the kinetic pulse of Plunge into a hypnotic whole. Recorded live to tape in the studio, the charged performances from Dreijer and their touring band unite songs as varied as the haunted isolation of Fever Rays "When I Grow Up" and the tropical whoops of Radical Romantics "New Utensils." Even without a cheering audience, the albums intensity rivals any concert on "Even It Out," where Romarna Campbells visceral drumming magnifies the songs feral parental rage, and on "Im Not Done (Radical Romantics Session)," which brings the energy to a danceable peak. Likewise, The Year of Radical Romantics expert sequencing heightens the emotions of each performance. A stomping rendition of "To the Moon and Back" brings heat to the sexuality hinted at on Plunge, warming up the versions of "Shiver" and "Kandy" that follow. Dreijer has always challenged norms, but theres a shadow side to this defiance. Fever Rays bone-chilling, heartbreaking ballads make for many of The Year of Radical Romantics standout moments, like the stripped-down pulse of "Mustnt Hurry," the cavernous chill of "What They Call Us," or the version of "If I Had a Heart" that closes the album with tolling synths that just might be more haunting than the original. The rare live album that uncovers new layers within an artists music, The Year of Radical Romantics is riveting from start to finish. ~ Heather Phares