King Krule — Space Heavy — Album Review
Alternative | Indie | Rock | Post-Punk
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The musical moniker of London singer, songwriter, and musician Archie Marshall, known as King Krule, was an artist that I discovered through his sophomore studio album under said name, titled The Ooz. It was through this record that I was hit with the dark and dreary undertones that would ultimately contribute to the atmosphere this artist brought ten-fold.
That album is certainly a favourite amongst fans, and I am certainly one of those people, The Ooz showed a level of grit that was unlike anything I had heard before. I would even go as far to say that album feels like a musical representation of the many dark, nocturnal, and lonely moments I’ve had in my life, which really gave this album an uncanny sense of beauty. This ultimately led to The Ooz not only being one of my favourite albums of 2017 (the year in which it was released), but also one of my favourite albums of the whole of the 2010's.
That being said, my hope for what King Krule would release after his 2017 record were sky-high. And while I know that his third studio album, 2020’s Man Alive was quite well-received by many, I ultimately found that album to be a little disappointing. While the mellow undertones were still undoubtedly there, I felt that this was framed in a far more shallow and bare-boned instrumental structure in the case of Man Alive.
As that album followed on 3 years from The Ooz, it only seemed like a natural progression for the same amount of time to be spread between Man Alive, and the release of King Krule’s brand new studio album; the fourth in his discography. Its title; Space Heavy.
Obviously, I was a little more skeptical towards the release of King Krule’s new album this time around, given the disappointment I felt with his third album. However, things were certainly looking to be headed in the right direction, with thanks to his first teaser track for this album, titled “Seaforth”. It was through this track, that the atmosphere I loved from King Krule’s sophomore album, felt like it was finally coming back, albeit in a somewhat more peaceful undertone in the case of “Seaforth”.
The second teaser track left me with more mixed feelings, however. Named “If Only It Was Warmth”, the more slow-burning rhythm and quiet musicality felt more reminiscent of Man Alive. And thus, it made me feel less certain as to what I might be able to expect, when the full album finally arrived.
And once the album in its entirety did arrive, I was delighted to find that King Krule has brought back his mastery of the mellow in spades!
I remember reading somewhere, after discovering “Seaforth”, that the album, in a narrative sense, reflects Marshall’s sense of isolation that he felt when moving from London to Liverpool. However, I have also read that Archie’s fatherhood has a big role to play in the album’s narrative as well, so perhaps it is a combination of the two.
Nevertheless, there a clear sense of bittersweetness in both the lyrics and musicality. And through that feeling, King Krule expresses the existential doubt that plagues his life, in which he definitely seems to be in a better place.
This is tremendously important, for a listener like me, who find themselves in the midst of what could possibly be the best year of their lives. However, I would be lying if I said I hadn’t felt my fair share of existential doubt. In short, this album is the biter lesson that many of us will spend our lives fighting our demons.
But to draw things away from the deep and personal, this album is amazing in a musical sense as well. There is a very diverse range of moods, ranging from dreamy slow-burners, to tracks with a bit more of an energetic oomf. Nevertheless, the album never seems to divert away from that core sense of bittersweetness.
Space Heavy is yet another masterpiece that the amazingly creative King Krule has spilled into sound. And it’s certainly safe to say, I now find myself enjoying King Krule just as much as I did when discovering him.
Favourite Tracks: Seaforth | That Is My Life, That Is Yours | Hamburgerphobia | From The Swamp
Least Favourite Track: If Only It Was Warmth
XL Recordings
