Review Summary: Halfnoise haven't reinvented the wheel - but they have given it their own spin.
Halfnoise is the solo project of Paramore drummer Zac Farro, but if you're looking for something similar to Paramore then you are better off looking elsewhere. Halfnoise have been around since 2012, after Farro left Paramore in 2010 (he has since rejoined the group), and specialize in making sentimental, infectious indie pop. The band's last outing, Volcano Crowe, was perfectly twee and middle of the road. It wasn't an amazing album, but there was enough there to make me interested in seeing how they would evolve on future releases. And evolve they have.
Sudden Feeling is fiercely infectious, with hooks hiding in every nook and cranny. There are lots of shimmering synths, and a distinct 80's synthpop influence shows up on tracks like “In The Summer”, the synth intro of which has an almost Cars era Gary Numan feel to it. The production is shiny and spacey, and has similarities to bands like Tame Impala and Mutemath. “Sudden Feeling”, the title track, in particular sounds like it belongs on Impala's Currents. “Better Then” has shades of M83 at their best. Farro has done a good job of incorporating a lot of influences on Sudden Feeling, but it manages not to sound tired, overdone, or annoying. He hasn't reinvented the wheel – but he has given it his own spin. The rhythym section is, as always, incredibly tight and gives the album a lot of its oomph factor. Something I liked in particular about this album is that the percussion itself is used as a hook across the album. Farro has used his background as a talented drummer to great effect here.
The album is inspired by a break up, and focuses on themes of lost love, which brings me to the worst part of the album - the lyrics. They're very simplistic, even occasionally becoming cliched or uninspired. They're not overtly bad, they're just... there. It's a pity, considering how well done every other aspect of the album is. Farro is not the most amazing vocalist, but he certainly is capable and sings with a lot of warmth and intensity – he's just not saying anything worth taking note of.
Overall, this album is a big leap forward for Halfnoise, both sonically and in its scope. The production is impeccable and while the lyrics are frustrating at times, there is enough heart and enthusiasm provided by Farro here that they aren't hard to overlook. If anything, this album proves that Farro can more than measure up to his peers, and cements Halfnoise as an act worth taking seriously. One gets the feeling while listening that Farro hasn't yet reached his full potential as an artist – but he's getting pretty damn close.
