(Photo Credit - Jackson Montgomery Schultz)
We had the opportunity to get advance access to Cross Records' self-titled album that drops August 2nd. Check out our review!
Advance Review - Cross Record - Cross Record
Timing will be your best friend listening to Cross Record’s new self-titled album. A vocal-heavy internally exploring album, it will be best played as you settle your mind at the end of the extremely stressful day. I could also imagine a DJ adding songs from this album to a set played during the witching hour of an outdoor music festival.
To fully understand the intention of this album, a listener should know that Emily Cross saw a lot of change in her life before making it, including becoming a death doula. Yeah. She creates ceremonies that help people Cross(over) from life to death. Because of the calm, minimalistic nature of Cross Record, it could be easily be added to one of Cross’s ceremonies. This added another layer as I listened to this album over and over. (I have also seen many changes in my life over the last year and listening to Cross Record let me meditate on these changes and release them to the unknown.)
A mix of atmospheric soundscapes, drum loops, synthesizers, and experimental instrumentation, Cross Record’s vocals brings thoughts of Mazzy Star, Liz Phair, and Lana Del Rey. However, as an album, we see specific movement from deconstructing one’s life and life in general (“Face Smashed, Drooling” and “PYSOL My Castle”) to accepting decisions to make change (“I Release You) to fully embracing the change (“An Angel, A Dove” and “I am Painting.”)
For this reviewer, the high point of the album is “Y/o Dragon.” It starts out slow and takes its time building. A musically complicated song, Cross’s patience makes it special. She is in no rush, and I appreciate the journey. It is the longest song on the album by far, and although it’s my favorite, I cannot imagine the rest of the songs on the album stretched to the limit like this one.
In conclusion, make a conscience decision on when you listen to Cross Record. It is not party music, or something to be put on when you want something light. (It would be akin to reading Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich while at the beach.) However, chosen for the correct mood, it can be a life altering experience. Favorite songs: “Face Smashed, Drooling,” “Y/o Dragon,” and “Sing the Song.”
Rating - 3.5 out of 5