Eschewing the clinical, fierce-as-Proteus electronic nature of White Roses, My God proves that Alan Sparhawk avoids stagnating on a single genre. It’s something that was essential to Low‘s nature, and evident for Retribution Gospel Choir‘s last three releases (The Revolution, 3, RGC DUB). It could jump from one band to another. The brutal, dirge-like ‘breaker’ from Low‘s Drums n Guns was reworked into an equally strong downbeat rocker in Retribution Gospel Choir‘s self-titled debut.

It’s liberating to jump genres without losing intent.

‘Get still’ liberates itself from its saw-tooth rusty cage, now running wild thru foliage-heavy hills, evading just becoming a missing 411 case. The hypnotic video attached to this new version, a re-edited version of the version on White Roses, My God is a trippy meditation of reuniting with the different versions of oneself*. Fitting.

‘Heaven’ and ‘Not Broken’ are a beautiful pairing. Acceptance comes after catharsis and the chilling vocals might drive you to leave these two tracks behind in a sea of tears. Right before the fiddle breakdown, ‘Screaming Song’ was veering towards a sunnier disposition. Recovery is three steps forwards, two steps back. At least keep a positive sum by the end. Move on, but never forget those who aren’t with us.

Mourning can last as long as you need. With trampled by turtles is a long exhalation. Relief. Pent-up anger. Frustration. Sadness. It’s all here. ‘Don’t take your light’ is the climax of the album. The sheer strength of Sparhawk‘s vocals, paired with the beautiful music provided by Trampled by turtles, is simply astounding.

Grief is multifaceted beast. It creeps back, unannounced, whenever it feels like. What you do with it is your choice, and you should be at peace with it. With trampled by horses exudes sorrow, using this overwhelming emotion to water fields of hope. May these fields stay green even after we’re gone.

*I’m projecting. Sorry.

-Sam J. Valdés López