Portugal. The Man have explored their distinct post-rock vision across (now) six full length albums; and that vision is full of promise. This new album, American Ghetto, is experimental, but “experimental” in the safest sense of the word. Fans of previous offerings will find much to celebrate and new listeners will have a great starting point. 
Whereas The Satanic Satanist had a more dominant guitar sound, the name of the game for American Ghetto is layers. “60 Years” is propelled by a distant acoustic guitar hook that is enshrined with lead guitar, synths and drums—with varying degrees of percussion interspersed. “Fantastic Pace” centers mostly on a head-nodding piano part before bringing in familiar layers. These textures bear resemblance to Remain In Light: a core is established and instruments drift over the soundscape.
While the hip-shaking appeal of previous albums remains, hips will be shaking to new-wave- dirges. Many of the songs float with an airy creepiness, often aided by Zoe Manville’s haunting backing vocals and emblazoned through lyrics that focus on shallowness and washed up idols. Case in point: “Dead Dog” kicks the album off with a halting break-beat and a cautionary tale—
I gotta warn you/these people/ they didn’t try
And they lie/the lie/they lie
The level of production brought by Anthony Saffrey and Adam Taylor creates the notion of a more mature sounding band. American Ghetto is thick. The producers (who also handled mixing with the assistance of Paul Kadrie) bear mentioning if only due to the amount of time it must have taken to give each instrument its own voice within the mix. There is a sense of cohesion, perhaps aided by the appearance of a familiar character on the album cover.
Each Portugal. The Man release captures the band at a different point while retaining similar elements. American Ghetto is a welcome addition—a release that purrs with layers of vocals, synthesizers, and guitars. No lie.
Track Listing:
1. The Dead Dog
2. Break
3. 60 Years
4. All My People
5. 1000 Years
6. Fantastic Pace
7. The Pushers Party
8. Do What We Do
9. Just A Fool
11. When The War Ends
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