Deep in the Iris

Deep in the Iris
Studio album by Braids
Released 27 April 2015 (Europe) 28 April 2015 (North America)
Recorded Arizona, New York, Vermont, 2014
Genre Electronic, art rock, dream pop, indietronica
Length 41:23
Label Arbutus Records, Flemish Eye
Producer Braids, Damian Taylor
Braids chronology

Flourish // Perish
2013		 Deep in the Iris
2015
Singles from Deep in the Iris
  1. "Miniskirt"
    Released: 10 February 2015

Deep in the Iris is the third studio album by the Canadian experimental pop/art rock band Braids. It was released by Arbutus Records and Flemish Eye in Europe on 27 April 2015 and the following day in North America. It has been described as the band's "sunniest and most immediate record".[1]

Background

Writing and recording

Braids began writing Deep in the Iris in tandem with their second album Flourish // Perish, throughout 2012.[2] The band performed unreleased new songs live between 2012 and 2014, with "Blondie" being included on Deep in the Iris.[3] Recording began in March 2014 in a cabin in woods near Prescott, Arizona,[4] marking the first time the band had recorded outside Canada.[5] After recording Flourish // Perish in their windowless garage in Montreal,[6] Arizona was chosen because the band "wanted to leave winter, to leave what we were familiar with, to go to a place where we felt sunlight on our face".[4] Taylor Smith revealed that the band focused on the process of songwriting, rather than the expectation which comes with recording an album, explaining, "the expectation was to have a beautiful experience together and if a record comes out of that beautiful experience, great!".[7] In the first few weeks in Arizona, the band "just went on walks, had talks, roasted marshmallows and chopped firewood and went grocery shopping and cooked meals" in an effort to reconnect after touring Flourish // Perish.[7]

The band cut back on the electronic elements which featured on Flourish // Perish, instead refocusing on using live instruments, as on their debut Native Speaker.[7] "Really cool, interesting-sounding pianos" were utilised.[6] Further recording sessions followed in upstate New York and Putney, Vermont in June and July 2014.[8][9][10][11] The "space and beauty" of the retreat in upstate New York, coupled with the energy provided by the presence of the band's friends from Montreal and New York City, helped evolve "Miniskirt" and "Happy When".[7] In Vermont, the band recorded in a turn-of-the-century house, specifically because it contained a Steinway piano.[7]

Mixing began with Damian Taylor at Golden Ratio Studios in Montreal in late September 2014,[12] with the sessions concluding in December.[13] With the band having done some preliminary mixing, Taylor's main contribution was to make Raphaelle Standell-Preston's vocals more prominent in the mix.[7] The album's title and tracklist were announced on February 10, 2015, with opening single "Miniskirt" made available for streaming on the same day.[14] Second song "Taste" was shared on SoundCloud on 4 March.[15] was released by Arbutus Records and Flemish Eye in Europe on 27 April 2015 and the following day in North America.

Musical style and influences

Prior to the beginning of recording, drummer Austin Tufts revealed he had been listening to performed music (as opposed to programmed), such as Little Dragon, Disclosure, Portico, Bonobo, Radiohead, R&B and soul.[3] Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette influenced Standell-Preston vocally.[7]

Themes

A press release described "pornography, abuse and slutshaming" as themes evident in Raphaelle Standell-Preston's lyrics.[1] "Miniskirt" deals with Standell-Preston "as a woman at this point in my life; getting older and discussing what I do experience as a woman and what I’ve gone through".[7] The song is also about "standing up for gender equality and in particular, for women’s rights".[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Consequence of Sound B+[16]
DIY [17]
Drowned in Sound [18]
Exclaim! [19]
Now [20]
Pitchfork 7.4/10[21]
Under the Radar [22]

Upon its release, the album received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Aggregating website AnyDecentMusic? reported a score of 6.9 based on eight professional reviews,[23] while Metacritic reported 79 based on 9 professional reviews.[24]


Track list

No. Title Length
1. "Letting Go"   4:21
2. "Taste"   5:00
3. "Blondie"   4:25
4. "Happy When"   5:39
5. "Miniskirt"   4:54
6. "Getting Tired"   3:31
7. "Sore Eyes"   3:52
8. "Bunny Rose"   5:18
9. "Warm Like Summer"   4:23
Total length:
 41:23

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Braids announce "Deep In The Iris" and share Miniskirt : Arbutus Records". arbutusrecords.com. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Eagle". theeagleonline.com. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pamela Fillion. "Flourish//Perish Album Release: Interview with Montreal transplant Braids". forgetthebox.net. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Braids". braidsmusic.com. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Braids on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Braids: Deep in the Essence". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 "Braids' Feminist Anthem Isn't About Hating Men, It's About "Fucking Loving Cake"". NOISEY. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Braids on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Braids on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Braids on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Braids on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Braids on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Braids on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Braids Announce New Album Deep in the Iris, Share "Miniskirt"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "Braids premiere new song “Taste” — listen - Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "Braids – Deep in the Iris - Album Reviews - Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Braids - Deep in the Iris". DIY. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "Album Review: Braids - Deep in the Iris". DrownedInSound. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  19. ↑ "Braids". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  20. ↑ "Braids". NOW Toronto Magazine - Think Free. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  21. ↑ Cills, Hazel (April 30, 2015). "Braids: Deep in the Iris". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  22. ↑ "BRAIDS: Deep In the Iris (Arbutus) - Under the Radar - Music Magazine". undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "Deep In The Iris by Braids reviews - Any Decent Music". anydecentmusic.com. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  24. ↑ "Critic Reviews for Deep in the Iris - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 28 April 2015.