Lambchop - FLOTUS

Never heard of Lambchop? I envy you, so many magical music moments ahead.

Constantly evolving since their launch in the early 90’s, Lambchop’s trademark is Americana meets sparse Nashville soul with a unique, laconic voice in singer, and only permanent member, Kurt Wagner. All the more surprising then that FLOTUS is an exercise in vocoder experimentation and studio tweaking. First it’s rather lovely, then starts wearing thin, finally I realise that my expectations are clouding my judgement - it’s Kurt’s canoe, and he can paddle it anywhere he wants. 

Bookended by two goliaths of chilled country soul coming in at 30 minutes combined, this latest release in the canon reassures with familiarity and edges away with contemporary creativity. FLOTUS feels like shorthand for Flying LOTUS and they have invented an acronym to fit, tracks like Writer and NIV having that jittery, techy soulful feel. But Nick, what does it sound like? Imagine a low tempo mash up of Al Green, Frank Ocean and Fourtet, southern twang guitars sparingly caressing your earholes and vocoded words you can’t make out.

I like it a lot, but it ain’t for everybody, only the sexy people.