Smoke Bellow
Structurally Sound
'Structurally Sound' is the fourth and final full-length by American-Australian band Smoke Bellow. It traverses a period of personal upheaval and destruction for the band, as well as the breakdown of the central creative relationship at its core. Written over 2022 and 2023 at home in Baltimore, this record was born of the collaboration between founding members Christian Best and Meredith McHugh. The material is the self-assured melding of post-punk, disco and modern minimalist composition, with lyrical themes spanning desire, personal anguish as well as the celebration of community and resilience. Sonically, influences range from modern minimalist composers such as Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Steve Reich, to the elemental bass/drum/guitar conversation of ESG, The Raincoats, Pylon, Au Pairs and Essential Logic. At the same time this release sees an increased focus on arrangement as a key conveyor of musical ideas and a sonic palette expanded by their collaborators' horns, strings, percussion and prose.