by Kris Handel
Squid Ink Sky is the second full length from the New York based Goo, a record that pushes their sound further than ever. Beck Zegans brings a unique, fresh, and open approach to songwriting that really shines. On previous Goo releases there was a distinct jazzy lilt in vocal and melodic approaches that allowed for her sentiments to roll along with the emotional waves and intimacy of her singer/songwriter feel as a performer. Squid Ink Sky still bring a melodic wallop but here Zegans’ tales of relationships and travels through existence are colored with sweeping and woozy keys which add a little more force. The twists and turns that run rampant through her songs are remarkably enticing, the slices of jarring guitar and the crafty rhythm section propel the band into different environs with a cool ease.
The record starts off with "Moongloom," a revolving guitar pattern and Zegans’ up front and clear vocals as Leah Beck's keyboards sparkle and whirr before joining their voices together with a wonderful harmony. Goo show off part of their complexities as there is an airy bit of mysterious hope that lingers in the instrumentation, eventually giving way to a seductive moodiness that hints at a far darker vision than what had been on display. "Demon" follows along the same path with a lovely guitar pattern as well as wobbling pedal steel from J.R Bohannon, as Zegans’ vocal huskily intones this tale of fighting with one's darker side. The sparsity amplifies the smoldering intensity as does the introduction of a slow bass rumble in the back portion of the track, impacting to leave a mark.
Goo allow themselves to break out a litte with "Real Life,” a riveting piece dream pop/psych that is full of crunchy overdriven guitars and billowing keys that dazzlingly cranks up the volume. This is a nice little break in form as the track allows for added muscle that does nothing to diminish the restrained strength that flowed from the first half of the album. "Other Side" has a little bit of a spaghetti western feel embedded within it as quivering guitar lines emerge from beneath wheezing and swarming keys. Zegans and Beck's vocals once again combine elegantly at moments and the little nods to latin music in rhythm and tempo add a wonderfully playful curiosity that is executed with grace.
Squid Ink Sky is a record that burst from the speakers with well crafted songwriting that welcomes the opportunity to throw new inspirations into the mix, hitting the mark each time. Zegans and company have managed to imbue this release with a sense of wonder and artful introspection, providing a piñata full of musical surprises as well as a chance for the listener to really lose themselves in these songs. Goo's songcraft still contains its grounding in folky classicism but finds a new way to approach the form and meld differing elements into a blossoming bounty of cunning passion. Squid Ink Sky should be wholly embraced, the album warmly invites you into a haunting and enchanted moment of glory and appreciation of everything around us in a way that makes the listener truly feel alive.