ALBUM REVIEW: First Aid Kit back in the saddle on ‘Palomino’
Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit spent the last two years getting back to its musical roots. The first album Johanna and Klara Söderberg produced in their home country since their debut, Palomino is an 11-track offering that’s largely breezy folk-pop.
Palomino
First Aid Kit
Columbia, Nov. 4
8/10
Thematically, Palomino ranges from knowing you’ve found the one to not knowing if the love is real. First Aid Kit finds a way to make these songs feel deep and introspective, all while playing with lighter pop sounds that are newer to the sisters.
From the jump, “Out Of My Head” is a synth-forward, percussion-heavy song about overthinking in relationships. It sounds like something Tegan and Sara might have produced in their earlier years but with a slightly slower pace. The transition to a poppier sound comes naturally to First Aid Kit. Rather than feeling out of place, the opener perfectly introduces listeners to the following 10 tracks.
Synths and vibrant guitar strumming is also present on “29 Palms Highway.” The uplifting nature of the instrumentation, paired with positive message, gives the track a liveliness that separates itself from some of the band’s earlier albums and definitely works.
Their strength still comes from their airy, Americana-folk compositions, which the Söderbergs nail in effortless fashion. “Wild Horses II,” one of the stronger tracks on the album, is an acoustic guitar ballad that paints the picture of a roadtrip through middle America. Midway through, a light horn and string section blends its way in with a fluidity akin to a setting sun.
“Turning on to You” is another strong folky number. Effortlessly layered harmonies accompany steel guitars, steady percussion and deep bass for a solid foundation. The sonic construction is simple enough to feel comforting as opposed to overwhelming—as is falling in love, according to the lyrics.
Other standouts include “Angel,” on which the instrumentation builds like it’s following the song’s narrative.
“A Feeling That Never Came,” about how even after a relationship ends, lingering feelings often result in a skewed perspective, comes with extra depth as the sister seem to be unsure whether what they feel is regret or relief. “The Last One” is the most traditional love ballad from a lyrical sense, as it centers on the time wasted before you meet the one. The bridge rings clearly as the duo sings, “I want to love you like nobody’s ever loved you/ I want you to be the last one I ever love,” their voices intertwined in beautiful harmony.
The title track also showcases First Aid Kit’s songwriting, this time about leaving the past behind.
Solidly written with a perfect mixture of familiar and new, Palomino is a win for the band.
Follow writer Piper Westrom at Twitter.com/plwestrom.