Arriving at a particularly abundant time for lyric-driven indie rock drawing on folk and country, New Threats From the Soul stands proudly on its own. It is a record that indulges in potentially alienating ideas\u2014like doubling back to \u201cMutilation Springs\u201d for a similarly titled, similarly lengthy redux with the same melody and structure\u2014and makes them feel inviting, further embedding us in the landscape. As accompanists, the Roadhouse Band often build to climaxes that should be nonsensical\u2014like finishing the otherwise classic-sounding \u201cMonte Carlo\/No Limits\u201d with a blast of pedal steel, fiddle, and jungle beats. Uniformly, their performances feel inspired, as averse to clich\u00e9 and open to interpretation as Davis\u2019 writing.<\/p>\n
This freedom makes the record play like a spontaneous breakthrough, assuming shape as we listen, and it gives Davis the confidence to embrace his role as a bandleader. He knows just when to lay on the swagger\u2014selling the hook of \u201cBetter If You Make Me\u201d with actorly desperation, or closing his eyes to jump an octave and belt the climactic rhyme of \u201cmiracle\u201d and \u201curinal\u201d in the closing \u201cCrass Shadows (At Walden Pawn).\u201d He also knows just when to step back. Throughout \u201cThe Simple Joy,\u201d he occasionally cedes the mic to fellow Kentucky native Will Oldham<\/a>, who has never sounded quite so exuberant and soulful on record. Together they sing about life\u2019s \u201csimple joys\u201d and the \u201csimpler lonelinesses,\u201d as Davis\u2019 narrator charts his way from grief to deliverance to solitary confinement. \u201cAre we getting any closer to me knowing what the point of all of this is,\u201d Davis shouts to no specific response, which only gives him more reason to keep singing\u2014pointlessly, joyfully, no longer searching for meaning but making it for himself.<\/p>\n All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.<\/p>\n
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