Athlete

Few musical moments compare to the ones where Athlete gets it right. And if you’re even somewhat familiar to the British pop/rock act then you know what I’m referring to.

It’s the first time I heard “Wires” via a friend’s recommendation. It’s the live acoustic set where the real beauty of “Twenty Four Hours” came to life. It’s the sleek groove of “Outsiders” or the straightforward melody of “Hurricane.” These are the moments where vocalist/guitarist Joel Potts & Co. craft a melody out of thin air and then invite you to remember it for the next several years.

Consider yourself forewarned that Black Swan, then, stands ripe with these moments. In fact, there’s more present than any previous Athlete release. This fourth studio release finds the perfect production blend of larger-than-life choruses and intimate moments, grind it out guitars and savvy keys. And here’s hoping it’s enough for Athlete to jump out from opening for Switchfoot to headlining their own U.S. tour.

Lead single “The Getaway” impresses in every way a rock radio song should, with the most compelling chorus Potts has written since “Wires” and proof that the “next” song is always there if bands are willing to mine for it. By song’s end, you’re ready to hit to play it all over again. Opening track “Superhuman Touch” is a synth-heavy anthem that pushes its way forward without drowning out the pop sensibilities.

It’s in that last point that Tom Rothrock (Foo Fighters, Elbow) shows his production prowess. It’s a smart move from an increasingly intelligent band that displays on Black Swan a growing comfort level with their fan base, their own sound and the studio. By the time the swanky “Rubik’s Cube” plays out (the best song on Black Swan, by the way), it’s clear the early days of Athlete provided glimpses of what shows itself strongly here. 

 

Tagged as: Athlete, Black Swan

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