Production and engineering techniques have always been an important determinant among artists in the music industry and are generally responsible for the subsequent label the artist / group is given. In the past, artists tended to go for the cleanest, best sounding record they could, many wanting their music to have this desired “Hi-Fi” quality. In the past decade or so, this has begun to change through certain genres and artists. Some of the first instances of low fidelity recordings came with the rock and roll subculture, through innovators like Buddy Holly recording in his garage and continued through punk music in the 70’s. Eventually, groups like Black Lips took this ideal and made it their own, making it just as (if not more) enjoyable than high-quality recordings. Portland three-piece Unknown Mortal Orchestra also have a heavy focus on their style of recording and producing. On the groups newest record II, dry drum recordings are mixed with unique sounding strings and vocals, making for an interesting and engaging record. While not abandoning the indie-pop sound they established on their first LP. Focusing more on vocal melodies, II is a great step forward for Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
II works as a cohesive unit, with each song flowing into the next seamlessly, which 
makes it a hard record to put down. Also, it houses a split between many areas of music, from Psych-Rock to Pop to Alternative and even a dab of Krautrock, which provides a decent amount of variety on the album. The opener “From The Sun” is a prefect introduction to what the record has to offer. It displays unique guitar phrasing and a nice build before the rest of the band enters, making it hard not to groove along with. The following track “Swim and Sleep” also displays the typical, offbeat guitar rhythms that we’re used to hearing from the band and is topped with more catchy vocals, daydreaming about being a shark (because who doesn’t want to be the most badass thing in the sea?). These moments of imagination aren’t all that show up lyrically though; the next song “So Good At Being In Trouble” is one of the softer and more serious tracks on the record. With lyrics about separating from a loved one. This track is serious, but just as playful instrumentally, not to mention how catchy the chorus is.
A pretty heavy psychedelic influence is apparent on the track “No Need For A 
Leader”, from the fuzzy bass groove that kicks it off to the effect-soaked guitar that enters, but Unknown Mortal Orchestra still manage to throw a dose of their own flavour in there with bright indie-pop vocals. While I feel the guitar could have been more interesting during the instrumental break, its still a nice change of pace and fits the song nicely. The following song “Monki” is the softest and the longest track on the record; an elegant slow burner that has a super catchy and surprisingly groovy chorus. The guitars on the track are heavily effected, (mostly with tremolo) and the drums are mixed as low as ever, making it a quiet and calming listen. “Dawn”, an interesting and purely electronic interlude track made its way on the record as well, its a nice quick instrumental and transition into the next track, “Faded In the Morning”. While this song is fairly repetitive, it remains interesting through elongated riffs and great tones from Ruban Nielson’s guitar. Another thick bass tone is present on this track, which gives the song a solid groove. II rarely instates subtlety, it lays every aspect of the record out on the table plain and simple. While this may take away from the depth of the record, it doesn’t make it any less infectious. It seems like almost every song on II has a unique amalgamation of genres, but the songs fit surprisingly well together.
The production on this album is interesting to say the least. As a whole, UMO doesn’t encapsulate a Lo-Fi sound, but it is present – in the drums especially. With the drums being mixed so dry and low on II, it is easy for the guitar to be the top instrument. This works really well, considering many of the vocal melodies are playing on what the guitars are doing like in the 7-minute long “Monki”. The bass on this record is relatively Lo-Fi as well, which is the most obvious at the beginning of the bass driven track “No Need For A Leader”. The guitar is easily the cleanest instrument throughout these songs, but it is still lathered with tremolos, choruses and other effects that make it blend better with the other instruments.
Clearly a large amount of time and detail has been put into the three instruments tones on this record, which is part of what makes it so enjoyable. This only goes so far though, the rest of what makes II a step-up for Unknown Mortal Orchestra is in the songwriting. Plenty of playful riffs, groovy basslines, catchy vocals and driving drums line the record throughout, making it a solid listen from start to finish. So, if you’re looking for yet another vein in the already crowded body of indie-rock music, UMO’s new album will certainly please your ears.
– Tom Vickress, a righteous renegade