It’s been three years since we’ve heard a record from Smile. On album number two, the Melbourne five-piece take their soft rock, slacker-enthused contemplation to a whole other level. Rhythm Method deals with living in the city, and the style of life that it demands in order to make it through the day-to-day.
Itopens with Intro, a foreboding instrumental soundscape featuring dense apocalyptic synths and fuzzy guitar feedback. The piece seems a precursor for a dark, shuddering record fuelled by turbulent instrumentation.
One of the earliest singles from the record, Holiday, not only contains the most outrageously gratifying bassline on the entire record, but also brings to the fore layer upon layer of blissful, harmonious guitar lines. From there Pete Baxter’s buoyant vocals reflect on “feeling better about myself.”
Boundless Plains to Share bears a hypnotic arrangement of Baxter’s chant-like vocals,with a slick bass groove, rich guitar swells and a cathedral-esque synth. White Devil, a clear stand-out track could be described as an aural depiction of a kaleidoscope – the track perpetually brings forth different aspects, each one dazzling in and out of focus; from the string section and earthly percussion in the versus to the soaring climax of harrowing guitars and vocals in the chorus, it’s a multi-coloured affair. Baxter’s lyrics are at their emotive peak here too: “Dreamer, where will your head rest? Nowhere.”
In a playful seven minutes Central Business Dickheads details the chaos and strain of Melbourne’s CBD. The track moves from steady, twinkly guitar shredding to a slow ethereal fizzle. BLVD was a single Smile released in 2014, now reinvigorated on this record with a soothing two-minute marimba-synth outro that acts as an interlude rather than a conclusion. Old Boys sounds like it’s come straight from the ’90s. A tambourine hovers over jangly guitar, as Baxter provides a lasting sentiment, “Your loving’s got me thinking twice.” It’s a warm, hushed song that brings a moving finality to the album.
While Rhythm Method feels very succinct – it only runs for eight tracks – Smile demonstrate distinct songwriting and craftsmanship that sees the band entering new and exciting territory.
BY JESS ZANONI
