Double Infinity

the take

Many will label this a "stepping stone" or "transitional" following the success of their genre-spanning 2022 double album, but I view it as a logical evolution. DNWMIBIY was akin to The Beatles' self-titled record in that it was a collection of ideas and studio magic assembled into something greater than the sum of its parts. This colossal showcase of the band's flexibility remains extremely impressive, but it begged the question of how they could move on. Would they revisit the scraps with a B-Sides project? Would they try to recapture lightning in a bottle? Down a member but not down for the count, the trio poured attention and intention into these nine songs. The end result is a focused experience that retains the loose feel and textural variety we've seen in the past. Adrianne's writing is exuberant as ever, celebrating life and love with deceptive simplicity. The earnestness in her voice pairs perfectly with the earthiness of the band. It makes the album feel like it's floating in the space between convention and mysticism. Especially noticeable in the middle stretch, I often find myself pulled in to the moment, captured by a hypnotic presence. An excellent feature from Laraaji provides a free flowing counterpoint to the grounded structure of "Grandmother." The songs have so much room to breathe and soak in spiritual energy, that I feel revitalized whenever I listen. "Double Infinity" proves that Big Thief can tap into any element they choose, and that they always follow the road that leads to joy.