After releasing two rather hastily recorded albums, it was time for Dublin’s Silverbacks to take a breather and find new places of refuge. The band members scattered across different parts of Europe to recharge.
The recording process for their third album, Easy Being A Winner (Central Tones), was meant to be more relaxed. Although they worked with Daniel Fox again, this time they spent more than double the time in the studio. Loops were refined for hours, and arrangements were repeatedly reworked.
The band also grew with the addition of Paul Leamy on bass, giving singer Emma Hanlon some relief. This brought fresh input to the group, resulting in thousands of new approaches that are reflected in the album’s countless ideas.
No song sounds like the other; there’s always something new and fresh. It’s a wonderfully complex, yet often laid-back record. Indie rock serves as the overarching theme, but a wide variety of styles play out in its background.
“Selling Shovels” fades out with krautrock vibes, while “Hideaway” delves into art pop. “Something I Know” combines psychedelic sounds with spoken word, and “Spinning Jenny” grooves fantastically.
Southern rock, folk, garage pop—it’s all there, meticulously crafted. At times, the album may feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s also rewarding in its own way. It’s certainly rare to hear such a diverse blend.
Silverbacks – Easy Being A Winner: Art Indie Pop – RIFL
