The Lovely Eggs: Eggsistentialism
DL | CD | Vinyl
Released May 17th 2024
The Lovely Eggs return with an emotional new album, the Dave Fridmann produced Eggsistentialism. Andy Brown shares his thoughts for Louder Than War.
For The Lovely Eggs the DIY approach is simply a way of life. Via the magic of the internet, we get a little glimpse inside the duo’s world: from a front room full of record mailers and bulging bags being hauled to the Post Office to homemade instruments and their very own surrealist TV show. Married couple Holly Ross and David Blackwell have made a family run, indie empire. The duo takes great pride in their DIY credentials and the veritable Eggs-topia they’ve created. With this kind of intimate, indie operation, any collaborators feel like part of an eggs-tended family. Eggsistentialism sees Casey Raymond return to provide the albums psychedelic cover art while Dave Fridmann is back on co-production duties.
Intro uses dramatic drums and celestial harmonies to set a decidedly cinematic tone. With Fridmann behind the controls, the band appear to be channelling Soft Bulletin-era Flaming Lips. This lasts for the grand total of 48 seconds before being abruptly interrupted by Death Grip Kids. Ross’ sneering vocal knocks me for six, “Shove your funding up your arse/ We don’t want your money”. We’re suddenly floored by a rush of heavy, Ramones-gone-psych buzzsaw guitar. It’s an absolutely brilliant rug pull of an introduction. Nothing/ Everything arrives next with an unexpectedly emotional counterbalance. With hints of Grandaddy, this seven-minute wonder sounds like a heart exploding in slow motion. Exceptionally beautiful indie rock. This is some next level Eggs, people. From chaotic art punk and lo-fi indie pop to the psychedelic smorgasbord of Eggsistentialism, it’s been a real thrill to hear the band push their sound into new places.
A song of two halves, Meeting Friends At Night begins with the duo exploring their electro-pop impulses before blowing us to smithereens with some increasingly wild, psych punk goodness. People TV blends bubbling electronics with a soothing, indie pop melody. “Yeah, I’m never gonna change this view and I’m never gonna be like you” swoons Ross as the album drifts into sunlit melancholia. Perhaps more so than any previous Eggs LP, Eggsistentialism really pulls on the heartstrings. There’s certainly a fair amount of soul searching. A track about navigating an often-overwhelming world, My Mood Wave is an effortlessly melodic slice of shimmering retro pop. It’s the kind of song you turn to when it’s all gone to shit and you’re craving a little sonic reassurance. I Don’t Fucking Know What I’m Gunna Do sounds like my daily internal monologue has been made into a two-minute, fuzz punk banger.
Memory Man is a uniquely Eggs-like anthem that can sit comfortably alongside tracks like Wiggy Giggy from the bands back catalogue. It’s got Lovely Eggs classic written all over it. Things provides a suitably strange detour; with oddball electronics, meandering psych guitar and lyrics about “a baking tray signed by Yoko Ono.” They really should get that up on Ebay, might be worth a fortune. Swathed in brooding, neon-lit sounds, Echo You is a gorgeously atmospheric song. Ross calls softly through the haze as the gentle electronics lead us into the heart of the night. I Am Gaia retains the melancholic mood as the singer confides in the listener, “When you tell the crowd you’re broken and they clap for more.” Wow. I was fully prepared for a great album but I honestly wasn’t expecting something like this.
Ross has described the album as a ‘wilderness years’ record, an album about facing challenges and surviving. This is the sound of a band who’ve put their whole lives into their art and that unwavering commitment really does show. Seven albums deep and the band remain a law unto themselves. While my favourite Lovely Eggs LP changes regularly, Eggsistentialism may be their most accomplished and emotionally resonant release. The production, the songwriting and the way it’s meticulously stitched together make it an undeniably impressive 40-minute trip. People really love this band (I certainly do) and it isn’t hard to see why. Rest assured; this album will only make you love them more.
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You can find The Lovely Eggs on their website, Instagram, Twitter/ X, Facebook and Bandcamp.
Find Casey Raymond on his website here.
All words by Andy Brown. You can visit his author profile and read more of his reviews for Louder Than War here.
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