The unbridled energy of Will Butler's solo album Generations is dripping off. The
Arcade Fire band member here mainly returns to the sound of
Funeral (2004) and
Everything Now (2017). On the one hand frolicking synthesizers, on the other hand big band indie rock. Within this context Butler profiles himself as a socially engaged person, as he completed his study Public Policy prior to the release of
… this album. In the whimsical opening track Outta Here, tension is aroused with blazing synths. Later on, this whimsicality is mainly reflected in Butler's vocal abilities. As you get closer and closer to the end of the album, you notice how close Butler actually stays to the sound of Arcade Fire. Sometimes he shouts himself over in both music and lyrics, like the theatrical Not Gonna Die. With the final song Fina he even almost Randy Newman goes after himself, although this time the carefree tunes run counter to his socially critical lyrics. At those moments Butler's album feels a bit too awkward. (JvQ)more
