This is the Sound

Album review

Since the early 2000s, Seattle's Paul Hiraga has acted as the captain of Downpilot, an introspective and often understated rock act whose creative output is occasionally shared by a handful of long-term collaborators. Hiraga's role as songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer essentially makes it a solo project, but the return of core players Terry de Castro, Mike Musburger, and Jeff Brown on Downpilot's sixth album, This Is the Sound, helps give it a familiar ensemble feel and a bit of an edge. Following 2015's Radio Ghost, This Is the Sound continues Hiraga's subtle sonic explorations, offering thoughtful, lovingly recorded songs rooted in indie rock and moody folk with a slightly experimental patina. The album begins on a lively note with the fuzzed-out rasp of "Your Supply" and the punchy rocker "Historian" before settling into an easier pace with the lovely, string-adorned standout "We Just Come and Go." As with previous releases, Hiraga creates intimate little environments that alternate not too wildly between midtempo rock cuts and warm acoustic-led fare sung in a rusty vocal timbre that falls somewhere between Robert Pollard and latter-day Jeremy Enigk. Without being too fussy or taking any real left turns, it's another solidly written entry into the Downpilot canon.

© Timothy Monger /TiVo