Audio Vertigo

by Elbow

Overview

After the pastoral chamber pop vibes of 2021's Flying Dream 1, Elbow's tenth record feels practically aggressive. Leaner, toothier, and more energetic than either of its two predecessors, Audio Vertigo relies on a combination of funky textures, dark grooves, and even darker wit. As with any Elbow release, subtlety is king; this is not a back-to-basics rock album, nor a wild reinvention, but an assured move within their own enigmatic wheelhouse that somehow sounds fresh. From the start, singer Guy Garvey is in top form, casually tossing out droll couplets ("here's to walking in every room like ascending for an Oscar, kissing hands and shaking babies, Blackpool rock imposter") on the mercurial opener "Things I've Been Telling Myself for Years." Throughout the focused 12-song set, Elbow touch on rousing Afropop (the horn-driven "Lovers' Leap"), soulful art-rock ("Her to the Earth"), and mathy indie rock ("Good Blood Mexico City") with aplomb and a surprising amount of pluck for a band nearly three decades into their career. Prior to the album's release, touring and session drummer Alex Reeves was inducted into full-time band membership, a move which perhaps explains some of the heightened rhythmic heft and overall punchiness. Elbow have never been short on craft, and their elegant arrangements have often carried them even when the material wasn't at its most exciting. Audio Vertigo brings it all together, distilling their many attributes into one of their most exciting albums in years. ~ Timothy Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	03/29/2024
Label:	Universal Import
UPC:	0602458341188

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elbow   Primary Artist
Pete Turner   Bass
Craig Potter   Keyboards
Carol Jarvis   Trombone,Trombone (Bass)
Jack Stirling   Vocals (Background)
Alex Reeves   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Ella Hohnen-Ford   Vocals (Background)
Kianja Harvey-Elliot   Vocals (Background)
Victoria Rule   Trumpet
Eliza Oakes   Vocals (Background)
Elvin Reeves   Vocals (Background)
Jack Heyworth   Vocals (Background)
Otto Simpson   Vocals (Background)
Martha Turner   Vocals (Background)
Mark Potter   Guitar
Guy Garvey   Vocals
Sarah Field   Sax (Baritone),Sax (Tenor),Sax (Alto),Trumpet
Ted Turner   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Craig Potter   Composer,Producer,Mixing
Fiona Brice   Arranger
Matt Colton   Mastering Engineer
Guy Worth   Engineer
Alex Reeves   Composer
Ronan Murphy   Assistant Engineer
Charlie Leake   Vocal Engineer
Dan Roberts   Producer
Dicky Addicott   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Thurston Jepps   Assistant Engineer
Pete Turner   Composer
Mark Potter   Composer
Danny Evans   Engineer
Guy Garvey   Horn Arrangements,Composer
John Barry   Composer