Protomartyr - Hotel Usona
Published:
Hotel Usona is Protomartyr's seventh album. It uses a clapped-out old hotel that's seen better days as a perfect metaphor for modern America and by extension the world.
Produced by Dave Fridmann, who's worked with the likes of MGMT, Flaming Lips, and Mogwai, the album gets an extra dimension from horns supplied by his son. Fridmann gives it a bit of polish, but it never loses its grit.
Song progressions are angular. Drums dance around the beat. The instruments are loud and in your face. The vocals are sometimes soothing but mostly barking. This album demands attention. If you want background music, mindless entertainment, or easy listening, go elsewhere. This album demands attention.
"The Sounds We Cannot Hear". Fuck I love this song. Lyrical themes about justifying crappy decisions because of life. There are some killer lines.
It's the guilt you cannot feel (Just got to keep on living)
The drumming is magnificent. The use of guitars and horns paint a dark shade.
"Exalted Eagles" deals with hijacked patriotism. The barking chorus
Incarceration, that's the policy Wealth rules, that's the policy Hail, whitе god, that's the policy Male supremacy, that's thе policy
Feed The Sewer deals with AI. The song is loud, angry and in your face.
Effluent feeds thе sewer Then thе national feed Content feeds the sewer Then the national feed
The best albums require repeated listens. They open up more with each unwrapping. The world is a pretty crap place now. Dark forces are on the rise. Hotel Usona gives it the kick in the guts it deserves.
This is my album of the year.