Musical wonder, Block, re-emerges with his new album, “Love Crash.”
As an artist, Block has always broken boundaries, while setting standards for commercial and critical success, but it’s his willingness to be authentic, intimate, and intelligent in his work—and his life—that has set him apart. From his first underground cult-hit record which helped launch the New York anti-folk movement of the late 1990’s, to his Capitol Records debut, Block’s influence can be felt in every corner of modern indie, folk-punk, and lo-fi songwriting.
Now, following a series of deluxe-edition reissues and a trilogy of groundbreaking singles, he releases his sixth album, “Love Crash”—his first new record in thirteen years. Across ten tracks, strong themes of heartbreak and loss intertwine with Block’s characteristic vulnerability, humor, and joy at simply being alive.
The new record opens with the catchy piece, “I Thought I Won The War,” — an infectious composition showcasing Block’s ability to seamlessly merge different genres together, with the chorus offering a more pop centered approach, while the verses swayed more towards soft rock. A brilliant opening, the song also puts Block’s unique vocals on display, backed by innovative lyricism and emotional depth.
“California Calls” follows with a more somber and subdued approach, driven by an acoustic guitar. Block explores the strong pull which this influential city exudes, describing several elements that resonate with him. While not as pulsating as the previous track, “California Calls” finds the singer in a more reflective state, providing a more powerful gateway to Block’s vulnerability.
Track three, “Over and Over” begins with an engaging soundscape, as Block opts for a spoken-word style delivery, more often than traditional singing, providing a different approach to his lyrical delivery. The song builds up steadily, as the production slowly ascends to a well rounded and expansive mix. In terms of the sound design, “Over and Over” is one of the best pieces this album has to offer, but unfortunately, it falls slightly short due to the absence of a truly memorable chorus.
“Firefly” swiftly follows with a melancholic and gentle melody that will instantly warm the hearts of listeners. A deeply vulnerable track, Block’s penmanship shines through here, as he reminisces quite fondly of someone special to him. Soothing and reflective, the impressive lyricism on “Firefly” holds it up as one of the best songs on the album and captures the essence of what makes Block such a compelling storyteller.
Injecting fresh momentum to the project, “All In My Head” arrives with vibrancy and well rounded verses. Further down the track, Block sheds more light on the inspiration behind this piece, as he speaks on love and the situations that emerged as a result of this feeling. Despite many positives, the song suffers from not having a well crafted chorus, as the repeated line, “it’s all in my head” fails to effectively elevate this aspect of the track.
An ode to someone important, “Song To Jamie” comes next, starting off with rhythmic guitar strings, as Block reminisces on times gone by. Lyrically, it’s authentic, encouraging and inspiring at the same time, with lines such as, “I’ve loved lots of things but I’ve loved you the most,” indicating just how significant this person is to Block. The track never gets out of the first gear in terms of the instrumentation, but this works just fine, as it presents a cathartic release for Block, coming across as one of the strongest compositions on the album.
There’s a whimsical vibe on the production of the next track, “The Heartbreak Song” which works incredibly well with the mode of delivery, in terms of the lyrics. It’s witty, innovative and impressively creative, sharing no similarities with the other songs on the project. It stands alone and for good reason as well, because the intelligence to conjure this record, could probably only be done once. A fine addition to the album, and one that highlights the quality behind Block’s artistry.
His rugged yet expressive vocals shine bright on track eight, “Carly Says,” which comes across as a piece that showcases Block’s unwavering trust in a special person. Steady and well paced, the guitar strings fill up the vacuum here, leading to a melodic trance-like state that will easily resonate with listeners.
Block’s use of the guitar on the album have been incredibly impressive to hear so far, but on the next tune, “No One Ever Taught Me How,” it’s the application of the drums that really steal the spotlight. A shimmering explosion of sound is a mainstay on the track, as Block re-affirms his independence, acknowledging the fact that he’s going to have to learn some things on his own. Another reflective piece, the song is one of the more upbeat offerings on the project.
Closing the project is “Still Life” and once again, Block’s incredible penmanship and songwriting prowess comes to the surface. On this song, the instrumentation is slow paced but deeply moving and captivating, as Block rounds up the album in an introspective manner.
Block’s comeback has been fueled not only by his reissued-and-remastered catalog but also by the early success of the singles. Despite his prolonged and lengthy absence, “Love Crash” proves that his voice remains as relevant as ever. If this album is any indication, there will always be a ready-made musical vacuum for Block to dominate once again with his honesty and unmatched talent.
Block’s new album, “Love Crash” is out now. Listen below!
Link: https://tinyurl.com/25a4jhcg
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