The Main Thing captures Real Estate's balance of changing things up stylistically and sonically with the familiarity and comfort listeners are expected to hear.
Relaxed guitars, soothing bass, a great sense of ease. There are certainly countless modern bands that accompany these elements, Real Estate being one of them. This genre of chilled out, soothing indie rock may not exactly be for everyone, but it's a genre that's closely nestled to my heart. But Real Estate isn't simply one of these groups. They are one of the more advanced and skilled at their craft. Their guitar tones may sound simplified on record but they are quite complex and intricate on paper. The New Jersey outfit's fifth studio album, The Main Thing, encounters both familiarity and newness. Similar to that of 2017's In Mind, this new record incorporates some different stylistic shifts, vocals, and progressions all while being unabashedly Real Estate.
It's easy to say The Main Thing may in fact be the moodiest and mellowest record in their catalog (which is really saying something, considering Atlas and the self-titled debut are included). Not only are the songs themselves are breezier and slowed down than ever, but the production and vocal effects tend to sound warmer, sleepier, and toned down altogether. Sonically, it sounds much more different than previous records. I was annoyed by these production choices at first, but the record has warmed up to me over time like how In Mind did. Specific examples of this certainly do not add to the tracks and actually rather take away. The lead single "Paper Cup" actually goes in a very solid forthright disco direction with a steady groove, swaying strings, and winding guitar licks across the track. The backing vocals from Sylvan Esso are a nice addition too, adding to a nice variation in the album. What irks me about the cut though are the effects laid out on Martin Courtney's voice, especially on the chorus. They sound muddy, buried, and take away from what would've been a more impactful chorus. The production also take away from making tracks like "Gone" so much more interesting, instead of being a lull in the track listing. These effects thrown heavily into many of the tracks honestly don't bog down my enjoyment of how solid the majority of these songs are. This is more of a picky critique.
With many slower, laid back tracks on the record, there are faster paced ones peppered into the track listing. "You" is a prime example of a sunnier, brighter tune that could've been added as a b-side to Atlas six years ago. The jammier guitar twangs, faster percussion, and strengthening chorus get better and better with each listen. The title track is another, being my personal favorite on the entire album. About having a quarter-life crisis due to all the shit that's going on right now (which I can heavily relate), the track has the strongest and stickiest guitar tones on the album, along with the best hooks and lyrics too. That guitar solo from Julian Lynch on the 1:47 minute mark is sick as hell. I love the ultra smooth transition from the moody piano-driven "Sting" interlude straight into "Silent World," a nocturnal tune to jam out to when the clock hits midnight and you're taking a nightly isolated walk outside. It also has one of Courtney's better vocal performances. I appreciate the change of pace on "Also a But," featuring Lynch on lead vocals instead of Courtney. The repeating tones and vocal passages at its 5:30 minute runtime makes it more of a tedious listen in the album. I do love the musicianship of "Falling Down," along with the closing instrumental of "Brother," which is so satisfyingly chill. It makes me groggy when I listen (in the best way imaginable).
What I keep appreciating about Real Estate is that they still continue to morph and change with new styles and sounds, all while successfully honing in on their signature sound. The Main Thing captures the band's balance of changing things up stylistically, while still bringing that familiarity and comfort fans are always expecting from them. They've really just perfected that "sleeping on the front porch with the birds chirping while snuggled up in a blanket during the Summertime" vibe, for years and years guys. They just keep the vibes going and I love them all for it.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "The Main Thing," "Friday," "Silent World," "You," "Brother"
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