Since the founding of Montreal in 1996, Kevin Barnes’ project has always been associated with Elephant 6 collective and Athens, GA. Thirty years on from the band’s formation, it has seen many changes in band members, eighteen albums, and a change in locale by Barnes. The nineteenth album Lady On The Cusp by of Montreal is a captivating blend of the band’s eclectic history, marking a pivotal moment in Kevin Barnes’ life. With Barnes transitioning from the familiar grounds of Athens to the picturesque and progressive southern Vermont, this album encapsulates both personal and geographic transformation.
Created during Barnes’ relocation with partner Christina Schneider, Lady On The Cusp marries introspective reflections on the past with aspirational glimpses of the future. This ten-track collection is a mosaic of diverse sounds and emotions, featuring everything from the sparkling trauma introspection in “PI$$ PI$$” to the surrealistic R&B devotion in “Soporific Cell,” and the avant-garde jazz mourning in “Sea Mines That Mr. Gone.” Each song demonstrates Barnes’ masterful ability to traverse intricate emotional terrain through music. “2 Depressed 2 Fuck,” the album’s initial single, begins with abrasive electronic disruptions but metamorphoses into an uplifting piece, encapsulating the blend of despair and hope that characterizes Barnes’ artistry. The track “Yung Hearts Bleed Free,” influenced by Bootsy Collins, candidly addresses the complexities and freedoms of an adventurous life. Likewise, “Rude Girl On Rotation” and “Soporific Cell” explore new personal and creative territories, celebrating both Vermont’s natural beauty and the profound connection between Barnes and Schneider. Barnes’ penchant for linguistic creativity and clever wordplay shines throughout the album, particularly in the two-part finale “Poetry Surf” and “Genius in the Wind,” where dreamlike language and literary allusions create an exhilarating whirlwind of sound and meaning.
Lady On The Cusp is more than just an album; it’s a compelling reacquaintance to Of Montreal. The album eschews nostalgia, focusing instead on the vibrant potential of the future. With its eclectic sonic palette and Barnes’ boundless creativity, this nineteenth album is a testament to Of Montreal’s lasting innovation and significance in the dynamic landscape of pop and rock music. The lead single, “Yung Hearts Bleed Free,” epitomizes the album’s spirit, merging Barnes’ avant-garde pop flair with reflections on personal evolution and new beginnings. As Barnes embarks on this new phase, Lady On The Cusp stands as a powerful, multifaceted expression of their artistic journey.
