Ra Ra Riot
| Date/Time: | Monday, 26 Sep 2016 at 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Location: | M-Shop |
| Cost: | $12 Students / $18 Public |
| Contact: | Student Union Board |
| Phone: | 515-294-8349 |
| Channel: | Student Union Board |
| Categories: | Arts, performances Student activities |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Correspondingly, the album sees the group--which originated in Syracuse but has now dispersed all over the country--getting back to their house party roots without abandoning the more heady soundscapes they explored with 2013's Beta Love. The result is an album that's celebratory without being saccharine, and that sees the group collectively mining their prior experiences to craft something that looks toward the future with an optimistic gaze.
Listening to Need Your Light, it's quickly apparent that the heightened level of experimentation and expansive soundscapes wouldn't have been possible without the band's synth-heavy approach to 2013's Beta Love. This is clearly evident in the opening track "Water," which starts off with a syncopated groove and minimalist instrumentation before gradually building into a triumphant, 90's soul call to arms. Alternately, "Bouncy Castle" resides on the opposite side of the sonic-spectrum with its carefree neo-soul refrain. Yet both of the songs were created with the group's incendiary live performances in mind.
Lyrically, Need Your Light parallels the transitional nature of the members' lives as they enter their thirties and begin leaving Brooklyn to start families without abandoning the band that they've spent their lives cultivating. From the carefree, orchestrally tinged vibe of "Absolutely" to the shimmering falsetto pop of "Instant Breakup," Need Your Light sees the band mining their career to come up with songs that transcend categorization. This ability to get back in touch with their roots was only encouraged by their decision to do a short tour of warehouses and basements late last year before they reentered the studio. The experience reminded them of why they began Ra Ra Riot in the first place.