Is it a musical universality that the remnants of the most confusing and challenging romantic relationships create the best pieces of art? It looks like Rubblebucket can relate.
The duo has just released their new album, Sun Machine, which is filled with personal reflections on a love for each other, even though the tumultuous nature of their relationship had led them to part romantically. While this backstory is hardly necessary to appreciate the album, it is just proof that sadness can produce joy. And you will be joyful listening to Sun Machine.
Kalmia Traver and Alex Toth are the creative forces behind Rubblebucket. They are both jazz musicians with eclectic tastes that find their way into various points in the album. It really is difficult to put the band in a box musically with songs that differ so much from the previous ones. “Fruity” is an electronic, synth-y based song with really cool rhythmic changes. It is an interesting song because it seamlessly transitions to different time signatures, creating a new feeling with each section.
Rubblebucket Are Jazzy And Diverse
One of the highlights of Sun Machine is “What Life Is.” The first song in sequence, which is a puzzling choice purely because it starts you in a somewhat disoriented headspace. Lyrically, its quite personal, which is a motif, of sorts, throughout the entire album. Rubblebucket is very good at this. Another song that is similarly biographically based is the single “Lemonade.” This song is perhaps even more personal than the former, but is more obvious.
Sun Machine is a really and truly good listen. It is always a pleasure to hear the creative makings that are inspired by the raw feelings of a changed relationship in its full honesty. Musically, the album is one of the most diverse you’ve heard so far this year. Most indie fans will give Rubblebucket great praise for this record.
