Lowlife - Remembrancer EP

​Lowlife

Remembrancer EP
self-released; 2017

​4.2 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Rebbeca Rothschild

I love when artists make something that really is for their own peace of mind. When Lowlife submitted their EP Remembrancer to us, they said, “The songs are a conversation between a person and himself from ten years ago.” I knew immediately I was in for a ride through a very thick narrative and I got a little excited. The EP is five tracks that are all recorded and mixed in Arizona, and the production value is fantastic. The sound is a wonderful mix between earthy and crunchy; it’s lovely and literally flourishes. Their play on time signature really gives a feel of wondering, which certainly fits the theme of self-exploration.

​I appreciate the feeling of wondering but not being lost. The band keeps it all together in a nice package and keeps the sound from going into a jam band area. I felt the percussion elements really did a fantastic job of keeping everything cohesive with masterful, organic transitions. I love the variety of instruments and sounds I got to indulge in.

While the sound aims to be vast and wispy, there is always a full-bodied, rich sound throughout the core of the music. The EP truly represents one big, long conversation and in any good conversation, you’re not going to repeat points over and over. For the music that means there is no real set format; if a bridge comes it comes, but there’s no guarantee. This was a challenge well delivered. I felt I was listening to something immensely private, but I was welcomed to do so.         

The lyrics for Remembrancer are their own animal. This conversation is not only one that is introspective, it’s also pretty damn blunt. You can hear the senior of the conversation dropping huge bombs of jadedness and harsh truths. However sometimes he also makes excuses, almost feeling the need to justify himself. I would not call this set of tracks a party starter.

Better for a party of one, great for when you need to be somewhere else, or hear someone else’s thoughts other than your own. It seems evident to me that this EP was very cathartic for Lowlife.  However, the best part is how it can do the same for any listener. You don’t have to identify with anything that’s being said, you just have to listen because it’s interesting. There is a wonderful and very honest layer of dichotomy being illustrated though both the music and lyrics.  

What I was given to listen to on this Ep only hits one note when it comes to mood and tempo. I imagine that if I had a conversation with myself from ten years ago, things would be a little more erratic.

However, as I listened to the EP again there is so much to admire about Remembrancer. To start, there is no false advertising, you know what you’re getting into. What really stuck with me is that I could tell Lowlife did this the way they wanted it done. They stuck to their guns, and their conviction to their work makes for a great listen.

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