SAY SO

Bent Knee... now here's a band that'll nail you to the wall. They start out from a simple idea - powerful, soul-esque vocals over prog - and have already perfected this niche with "Say So". Just take the opening double salvo of "Black Tar Water" and "Leak Water": practically blending into each other like a mini-suite, Courtney Swain lays down the law with her unrestrained singing as layers of her bandmates' instruments back her with brilliance. Generally, the album is an exercise in this combination of singing and instrumental styles, never letting up either pace or forcefulness. The band engage in a frenzy of complexity in time signatures and support of guest musicians through most of the record, a sometimes jazzy and always unique style leaning towards the front, wowing before allowing for a more concise ending in "Good Girl". Along the way, Swain is additionally backed by a massive chorus on "Counselor" and "The Things You Love" to exciting effect.

Lacking highlights only for its rock solid and consistent quality, Bent Knee's first masterpiece manages to create a beautiful, soulful soundscape that is also refreshingly blistering. A required listen and potential album of the year.