The great thing about Los Campesinos! is their ability to turn their innermost regrets and urges into some of the catchiest songs out there. Another amazing thing about the Welsh group is the fact that they are able to produce such gems at this quick a pace. Since 2008, they have released four albums, each showing substantial growth. Their newest album, Hello Sadness, is quite a step up for the band. This album is far and away their most polished to date.
Take the first track, for example. “By Your Hand” is almost poppy in its melodic keyboard and clapping patterns building into a full-out singalong. In classic Los Campesinos! fashion, one look at the lyrics will remind you that as upbeat as the song may sound, they have a message. “I’m not sure if it’s love anymore, but I’ve been thinking of you fondly for sure, remember what your heart is for.” Perhaps the darkest song on the album is “Songs About Your Girlfriend” which, as the name implies, is a track discussing how much your girlfriend likes another dude more than you. In a sarcastically apologetic tone, the band builds a catchy guitar-driven track that almost makes you feel guilty as you find yourself rooting for infidelity.
The title track “Hello Sadness” is a self-deprecating track, using strings and repetitive drums to allow you to feel Gareth’s longing. “Life is a Long Time” discusses the perils of the world as seen through a person’s eyes. One of the more calm songs on the album, the guitar riffs bring the listener back to an Oasis-era state of mind. “Every Defeat is a Divorce (Three Lions)” is a more classic sounding track for Los Campesinos!. Their use of bells and string instruments allow this song to emerge as the ballad of the album. “Hate for the Island” is a very reclusive track that uses echoes in the vocal track to create a mysterious vibe that very much puts the listener into their own world.
“The Black Bird, the Dark Slope” is probably the weakest song on the album, but is still able to entertain with dueling male and female vocals. A roaring guitar pushes the song along throughout. “To Tundra,” like “Hate for the Island,” creates a dream sequence as it sways and swoons all the way through. It is easy to find yourself staring off into space as the harmonies pull the listener into a castle in the sky. “Baby I Got the Death Rattle” is a song of deep reflection, as a person’s own faults are reflected upon.
The beauty of Los Campesinos! lyrics is their wit. Where many modern bands oversimplify what they are trying to say, LC makes you earn it. The band’s clever nature causes you to dig deeper, past the innuendo to figure out what they are really saying, and much of what they are implying. “Light Leaves, Dark Seeks Pt. 2” closes the album with beautiful harmonies and very little musical accompaniment. The song closes the album on a high note, leaving the listener content with an almost tangible level of contentment.
Where most bands feel pressure to top themselves, Los Campesinos! never come off as uneasy or eager. They are able to tackle serious issues but you never get the feeling that they are really suffering. As the Louis C.K. of indie rock, the band allows you to laugh along with them at the damaging things in life.