by Jade Winings (@jadewinings)
In August of 2021, Pile released an LP perfect for laying under the stars; Songs Known Together, Alone consisting of newly recorded tracks pulled from Pile's massive collection accompanied by a clever change in production. The tracks are all reimagined versions of Pile songs recorded solo by frontman Rick Maguire, including the record’s singles “I Don’t Want To Do This Anymore” and “Build a Fire”. The songs move away from feelings of The Strokes, and more into the comforting sounds of Spoon or Massive Attack if Moby were on vocals. Pile has carried variety as a collective since 2009, but the latest album highlights the growing solo-style of Rick Maguire’s. Although this LP’s version of Pile is quite different, it captures Maguire’s signature-isolated vocals that are complimented by the stand-still soundscapes of Songs Known Together, Alone. Rick Maguire accomplishes a smooth transition between the original overdrive indie-rock, into a surprising amount of entrancing fuzz. Songs Known Together, Alone provides indulgence within the evolving core of Maguire.
Songs Known Together, Alone is a pleasant surprise of an album with sounds that will make you shiver. Typically, there would not be too much excitement in hearing what you already think is a “perfect song” being transformed, but Rick Maguire does it right. “Hair” from the Green and Gray (2019) album is featured, a personal lyrical favorite. “Hair” transforms from the song's original acoustic-nostalgia into Rick Maguire soulfully crying onto piano keys. With each line, Maguire punches you in the gut within both versions of the song. “Worms” is also featured from the 2017 album A Hairshirt of Purpose, first presenting itself as an up-beat sad song before Maguire slows things down with reverb and turns up the sadness by the usage of proper-distortion in the newest version. The feature of “Touched By Comfort” from the 2015 album You’re Better Than This shows one of the biggest transitions of sound, turning its punk-vibe into a visual scene of Maguire’s voice echoing in distraught off empty walls of an abandoned building. Ending the album with “Build A Fire” is a brilliant example of how well Pile pulls together a cohesive album, the track ties together the listening experience with an emotionally intense start leading into a gentle ending.
If you are feeling poetic, adventurous, or need some time to dissociate from reality, Songs Known Together, Alone is to-be a euphoric album for you. Pile has a plethora of diverse albums out to suit your multiple moods, but the latest LP could be considered perfect for the leaving of summer sunsets and the entering of frigid-but-hopeful fall. The structure, lyrics, and instrumentals of Songs Known Together, Alone all admirably tie into each other perfectly. Pile has consistently been releasing solid album after album, and seems to have a never-ending passion for creating and touring. Due to constant progression and a reputation of aging-well, nothing aside from masterpieces should be expected in the future of Pile.