Black Country, New Road - For the First Time (2021), 7/10

For the First Time spiritually overshadows the band’s proceeding album Ants From Up There, mostly due to the raw, emotional performances from Isaac Wood showing maximum vulnerability and an exceptionally personal touch to vocal performance juxtaposed by the follow-up's grandiose attitude towards composition and performance. "Instrumental" is an appropriate primer, though perhaps a little melodramatic towards the end of the track in a way that feels mildly contrived in comparison to its following melodies. "Athens, France" has a much more compelling and successful crescendo and play with dynamics, the tonal choices are strengthened by structural coherence and the way tones interact with each other in cohesion to the song’s narrative arc. "Science Fair" is the first BCNR track that enraptures with its intimate narrative and quivering rage. The track is almost undoubtedly the thematic pinnacle of the album, both from its use of satisfying instrumental dissonance and individual lyrical tonality. The second half is consistently stronger due to the fluidity in order from "Sunglasses", the beauty of "Track X" and the franticness of "Opus". For the First Time is a consistent favorite of the year among many critics for its novelty but it persists due to its depth. The band flirts with many of the most important ideas and qualities of the genre from the last twenty or so years, in a way that sounds surprisingly fresh and interesting despite their aesthetic borrowings from groups like Slint or more broadly genres like post-rock. A wonderfully endearing experiment with several important ideas, priming a progressive movement that seems to be budding with its release. Still the best and most essential release from this new group of boundary-pushing outfits.