‘Foil Deer’ is the sophomore LP from Massachusetts quartet Speedy Ortiz and finds the band embracing a few changes. The follow up to ‘Major Arcana’ and last year’s ‘Real Hair’ EP arrives sans original guitarist Matt Robidoux. But, even with his integral contributions to the band’s sound in mind, the result is not lacking, in any way. If anything, Sadie Dupuis, now augmented by six stringer Devin McKnight, and friends have emerged stronger than ever.
The album kicks off triumphantly with Raising The Skate, on which Dupuis exclaims: “I’m not bossy, I’m the boss! Shooter not the shot!” The song is a prime example of Speedy Ortiz’s evolution since their debut. Instead of off kilter and sometimes detached songs, which could make you cross eyed from trying to following the melodic threads, this is more structured and focused, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
That’s not to say the band have steered themselves in a completely different direction. The Graduates, which is about Dupuis’ crush on friend, and Cloud Nothings frontman, Dylan Baldi, is reminiscent of ‘Major Arcana’ track No Below. It shows that Speedy Ortiz are still proud champions of the underdogs: “I was the best at being second place”
Dot X, the song from which the album takes its name, reeks of a ‘90s influence and Dupuis seems to channel the women that paved the way for bands like hers. Homonovus packs an equally powerful punch and showcases how her dynamic vocals are able to match the accomplished musicians she plays with.
The shift from Puffer, with Darl Ferm’s trundling dance-like bass line, to Swell Content is not slick. But that’s kind of the point. It makes you take a step back and say “what the fuck just happened?”. Though Speedy Ortiz have matured, they are still as brilliantly erratic as ever.
Speedy Ortiz Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu October 15 2015 - BRIGHTON Haunt
Fri October 16 2015 - MANCHESTER Manchester Sound Control
Sat October 17 2015 - DUBLIN Whelans
Sun October 18 2015 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Wed October 21 2015 - LONDON Dome
Thu October 22 2015 - GLASGOW Stereo
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