Unsettled strings introduce the first song on Owen Pallett’s second solo album, a decidedly more autobiographical collection of songs than his first. He even mentions himself by name several times (“Owen where were you to stop the fire?”). It’s full of wistful violin, contrasting playfulness with grittiness. In the title track he sings of black hearts, a shadow of violence and an inverted car.
Pallett wanes angst, singing of being childless at 30 and never having children (“I would bear them and confuse them, my children”). And he seems haunted by his own childhood, “a kid without a heart my chest an empty cavity a hole to be filled by the multitudes around me,” he sings. Instrumentals weave through staccato strings (“Soldiers Rock”), faraway vocals “The Riverbed”) and are sometimes even reminiscent of a Disney princess movie soundtrack (“–> (2)”).
But you won’t find yourself slipping into “happily ever after” too quickly. As soon as Pallett opens his mouth he reminds us where we really are—his black and bloody, though beautiful, inner world. This Polaris short-listed album is versatile, perfect for a frantic bike ride or evening of soul searching. (Domino Recording Co, owenpalletteternal.com) Meghan Mast