Death Cab for Cutie’s 10th album, “Asphalt Meadows,” was recently released on September 16, 2022. Written by frontman Ben Gibbard, the record has received predominantly positive reviews with sites such as Pitchfork rating it 7.4 out of 10.
Die-hard Death Cab for Cutie fans will be happy to find that the band’s beloved boy-next-door feel, vivid lyrics, peaceful instrumentation and romantic sentiments are still present in their newest work. The album features several tracks, such as “Here to Forever” and “I Miss Strangers,” with particularly catchy choruses and pop sensibilities that will likely be rock radio hits.
The majority of the record was written and conceptualized during the Covid-19 lockdown, which is evident through the recurring theme of the unsatisfactory nature of modern life. This feeling runs through lyrics such as “these days, it’s so hard to relax. You gotta hold a gun to my back to make me smile” on the track “Here to Forever” and “these days I miss strangers more than I, more than I miss my friends” on the 8th track “I Miss Strangers.”
The spoken-word vocal delivery on the 6th track, “Foxglove Through The Clearcut,” is new for Ben Gibbard. Reminiscent of the vocals of groups such as mewithoutYou or dandelion hands, this singing style is somewhat of a departure from Death Cab’s earlier work. However, the poetic and introspective nature of Gibbard’s lyrics naturally lends itself to spoken-word, so it doesn’t feel artificial or forced.
The closing song “I’ll Never Give Up On You” brings the album to an end with powerful electro-pop instrumentation, piano and a few unsettling melodies that are slightly reminiscent of some of Radiohead’s work on albums like “OK Computer.” This track ends the whole record with a positive and hopeful sentiment that is just like the song’s title.
As the band has roughly 25 years of songwriting experience, “Asphalt Meadows” has a mix of the familiar along with some new elements that make this record a welcome addition to their extensive discography.
