Lower Dens

‏If Radiohead and Calvin Harris had a love child, the offspring conceived might sound a little bit like Lower Dens. Meticulously building upon the plot outlined by their first album Twin Hand Movement, Lower Dens’ sophomore album Nootropics continues what the band envisions as a series of four albums. With the first album representing community, Lower Dens see the four albums acting as puzzle pieces — building upon one another and filling in the blanks to take “a broader look at human history”, according to bandleader Jana Hunter. The result of ardent legwork, Nootropics combines the lyrical self-awareness of Radiohead and Calvin Harris’ melodic synths to create an album grandiose in scope yet singularly engrossing. In the words of “Brains” from Nootropics: “Something desperate’s up my sleeve / And no lines allow for mapping.” (Friday, 3:30-4:35, Red Stage) –text: Hilary Telford