Heartland

Heartland by Owen Pallett

Owen Pallett may or may not be a name that you know already, seeing as he just recently dropped the moniker Final Fantasy due to confusion and possible trademark issues. Either way Owen Pallett is a name that should stick with you, because the music that he produces is brilliant. So brilliant in fact that he's produced string sections for Beirut, co-wrote string sections for Arcade Fire's "Funeral", wrote string sections for The Last Shadow Puppets debut, and much more. Upon first listen most will notice the glaring similarities of Owen and the revered Andrew Bird. The comparison is not very far-fetched seeing as Owen uses the same violin loop pedal style as Bird and does so just as well. Heartland is Owen's third studio album under the Final Fantasy/Owen Pallett name and is a concept album based on "Lewis, a young, ultra-violent farmer, speaking to his creator" and that's quoting the man himself.

Heartland opens with a track that immediately draws you in with it's unique blend of poppy hooks, electronic beats, and violin parts on "Midnight Directives". The rest of the album follows the trend of the first track in the way that all of the tracks sound a bit similar but also have their own individual feel to them. Each song sounds like it should be in the soundtrack to a wacky 'Alice in Wonderland' type dream, and I mean that in the best way possible. Pallett's brilliance shines through the most on the track "The Great Elsewhere" which has such a grandiose sound one can't help but want to put it on repeat and listen to it for hours. However, you shouldn't do that...at least not on the first listen. The album flows together in a brilliant way, the upbeat orchestral masterpieces are woven together with the softer more somber songs in a way that can't be described, only heard. The scary part about the whole thing is that he has been putting out albums for less than ten years...just imagine where he will be in the next ten. Owen Pallett is certainly over looked when it comes to discussions about brilliant composers but if he continues to churn out such beautiful pieces of music then that won't be for very long.

Rating: 8/10

Standout Tracks: "Midnight Directives", "The Great Elsewhere", "Tryst With Mephistopheles"