Formally known as Final Fantasy, having taken the name from the popular RPG video game series, this is Pallett's third album, released under his real name as it'll be his first album released in Japan - so he doesn't want to confuse all the gamers out there!
Sounding like Arcade Fire gone solo, this spunky baroque-pop is a concept album about a young farmer named Lewis - who has a bit of a violent streak. Fusing string arrangements and synths, it sounds very much like a soundtrack to (and I don't mean this as criticism) the Final Fantasy games themselves. Sounds typical, and I'm not accusing him of being a rip off at all. In fact it's worthy praise since the games always seem to have great scores.
The album goes through a range of catchy melodies, but on some occasions it sounds too overcomplicated. Pallett's vocals also sound lifeless on some songs, but full of passion on others. To me, a great album must have flow, and this delivers. It feels like a journey into a dreamy musical, full of beautiful melodies and menacing strings.
This is perhaps my favourite album of the year so far. Having worked with Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Death From Above 1979, and even Fucked Up, Pallett is a real virtuoso who is often under-rated. Check him out.
Rating: 4/5
Released January 12th
his stage name is better :(
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