Who puts the Low in slowcore?

The coolest mormons in music? Move over Marie and Donny Osmond Brandon Flowers, here are Low! The husband-and-wife duo of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker have been bringing us down (happily so) with their unique sound since 1993, live accompanied by a bass player. Although they hate the term their music is often called (quite appropriately though) slowcore. Their sound is dark, slow and minimalistic and often consists of nothing more than very sparse drums and the haunting voices of Sparhawk and Parker creating harmonies not of this world. Their arrangements don’t need a Toto-like-drummer, nor a Slash-like-guitar player (actually what arrangements do?). These people seem to understand how to pass on emotions straight from the heart.

On may 7th they played in Paradiso in Amsterdam. Not only did they manage to play almost all our favorite songs (okay, except ‘Point of Disgust’…and maybe ‘Like a Forest’) but they were nothing less than perfect. The constant state of suspense they created and the crystal-clear voices coming together just right made sure the crowd had goosebumps the entire show. The seamless unity of the two voices require at least a long and good marriage to reach this level of perfection. The pain inside the songs show great depth and purity. The unnecessary notes are left behind, everything in it’s right place (they did tour with Radiohead). The songs are built up dynamically. A violin added some sweet tones to some songs, like on their ‘hitsingle’ ‘Sunflower’. Sometimes almost touchable textures of noise fill what once was a beautiful church, and is now a temple of music. Elements of post-rock are integrated in the songs, but never unnatural and always with integrity.

Low never rests in one sound, they show development and transgression on every album. Their latest, ‘Drums and Guns’ features elements of minimal electro. The combination of their music with these elements needs some getting used to, but is unearthly. They played a beautiful version of ‘Belarus’, the only electro-influenced song in the set. A lot of older songs were played which fit naturally between the newer songs. The band is even open to requests of their audience, how cool! This leads to an impressive version of 'Amazing Grace'.

Low are the masters of implosion! Maybe this should be the new description of their music: indieplosion

Points Of Disgust is a song from their 2002 album ‘Trust’ and is a typical Low-song.

Sunflower is one of the best songs (if not the best song) they have ever made from their 2001 album ‘Things We Lost In The Fire’

Murderer is a haunting soon-to-be-classic from their latest album called ‘Drums an Guns’.