Dirty Projectors Bitte Orca

Dirty Projectors are the kind of band you’d describe as an enigma, where attempting to make ’sounds like’ comparisons draws blanks.

Made up of compositional master Dave Longstreth and female vocalists Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian, their previous record was a ‘re-imagining’ of Black Flag’s album Damaged.

Bitte Orca however sees the band start from scratch. The voices of Coffman and Deradoorian provide some particularly gorgeous harmonies throughout, in juxtaposition to Longstreth’s own unique singing style. Some ears might find his slightly warped half-falsetto jarring, but it works perfectly in the setting he’s given it.

The jangly guitar and handclaps of opener Cannibal Resource suggests that the band have moved into more accessible territory, though as the song twists and turns over Longstreth’s intricate arrangements it’s clear that Direty Projectors are not a usual band. Everything is filtered through their particular prism; the results on the other side is unique and compelling.

Stillness Is The Move and Two Doves have the females starring vocally and both are excellent tracks in opposing ways. Stillness Is The Move bears the skeleton of an R&B song laid into the skin of a minimalist indie one. Two Doves has a very pure beauty about it, gentle acoustic plucking backed by rich string arrangements.

The perplexing Useful Chamber is the album’s central apex, moving through two quiet phases before an explosive Xiu Xiu-esque chorus, followed by some powerful harmonies. The song comes full circle, joining the melody of its first phas back to the harmonies, eventually arriving at a guitar freakout that transforms back into the song’s chorus.

It’s thoughtful construction like this that makes the whole album a fascinating listen. If you feel yuou’ve run the gamut of indie rock and everything is beginning to sound alike, listen to this record. It’s refreshing.