I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME - GLOOM DIVISION
I Dont Know How but They Found Me (iDKHOW) blends new wave, indie pop, and alternative rock and has gained a strong following through energetic live performances and social media. The band, having gotten their name from the 1985 classic, Back to the Future, garnered critical acclaim with their debut LP Razzmatazz, solidifying their position in the alternative music scene. Now they’re back with their sophomore album, Gloom Division.
Weekes shares that the process of the album is unlike anything he’s felt before, crediting the work of colleagues like Joywave’s Daniel Armbruster. “Sometimes the songs took a complete left turn, which made me want to go even further into a direction I never would’ve pursued on my own. It reminded me how exciting collaboration can be when you’re working with like-minded people who treat their art with care.”
The album, recorded in Toadbox Road Studios as well as Weekes’ basement studio, opens with ‘DOWNSIDE’ which bursts right out of the gates with excitement. Piano and bass being a strong element in this track perfectly blend with Weekes’ voice when the synths are brought up during the chorus, giving an easily danceable track showing inspiration from the likes of Beck and Weezer sprinkled with a bit of Elvis Costello.
The first single released ahead of the album announcement, ‘GLOOMTOWN BRATS’, brings the strong bass that is shown in a lot of iDKHOW’s sound from Weekes. Exploring themes of rich privilege and sexuality written by Weekes and Jason Hill, the track shows the feeling of being unable to walk away from something without the possibility of compromising one’s reputation and how much people are willing to give up to climb up the social ladder.
Having been released before with Weekes’ earlier project, The Brobecks, ‘A LETTER’ has been played live throughout the years with iDKHOW and now appears in the album. The spoken word track mixed with background vocals (which are performed live by the crowd in their live performances) The letter, though, being from a girl to Weekes who was in a relationship with him at the time, had her heart set on another person who was attempting to tell Weekes that her attentions were not to use him.
The album as a whole, being quite different from the previous, Razzmatazz shows Weekes’ versatility in the music he writes and produces. Keeping with the theme of bizarre, with a touch of glam, Weekes showcases themes of obsession and sexuality while showcasing sounds not yet heard before from this act. Weekes also keeps the theme of recreating a track from his previous outfit, The Brobecks, in this record with ‘A Letter,’ which has been a hit with the live crowd for years garnering crowd participation. It’s clear to see the excitement Weekes has had in this album after having been set back due to the departure of drummer, Ryan Seaman, but one thing is clear, this album is just a glimpse of the versatility and excitement we’re sure to see in the future.
Niki Davidson
★★★★★