Life at Resident Records

There are only a few artists that I will make the effort to see multiple times in the same week. Life are one of them. They are such a great live band. With the release of their excellent new album, Abstract/Natural, they played a number of in-store events, and it seemed like a good opportunity to take a day off work and catch some sun in Brighton.

Their new album evolved out of ideas that came to Mez as he walked coast to coast. It eschews the higher energy songs of their earlier albums, with the songwriting maturity showcased on their previous album. The last album had a song ‘Duck Egg Blue’ that initially felt out of place. But quickly became my favourite song on the album. This new album feels like a continuation. It’s more of slow burner than their earlier albums. But each listen, opens up more textures. Some of themes and even some of the textures, reminds me of Sea Power’s nature inspired songs.

Tonight at Resident Records, they played songs from the new album, which sounded great live. Mez continues to be a hypnotic presence at the front of the bands. Injecting humour and bringing the new album to life. The songs really work well live. A good thing. As I was seeing them at Rough Trade the next day.