Split
Split gives Lush's dreamy guitars more force and their songs more room. The band can still sound almost weightless, but bass and drums push harder. The singing has a clearer presence in the overall sound. Both the direct pop tracks and the long, sombre passages benefit. The album finds an attractive balance between immediate appeal and a less comfortable emotional undercurrent.
Light From A Dead Star begins quietly and darkly. Its light singing and spacious guitars make the opening tense rather than reassuring. Blackout and Hypocrite then demonstrate how forcefully the band can play without losing its melodic sense. Their short, sharp movement gives the record the energy it needs, offering a clear contrast with the more patient material around them.
Desire Lines and Never-Never take considerably more time. The singing remains gentle while repetition and slowly developing arrangements gain weight. That willingness to sustain a mood helps make Split special. These are substantial long songs with a different effect from the concise tracks surrounding them. Their appeal depends on allowing them that space instead of expecting another quick hook.
Undertow finds an interesting middle ground. The bass gives it firm direction while guitars retain a rough edge. Lit Up and Lovelife reveal how relaxed and direct the band can sound as well. The music remains recognisably Lush, but uses its sound in several different ways. There is more here than a single attractive texture.
The movement between short outbursts and extended passages is not always easy to follow. Listeners mainly interested in the faster pop side may find the slower stretches lengthy. Yet those differences give Split much of its value. Strong melodies, a convincing rhythm section and darker feelings work together without one element always having to dominate.
