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· Elizabeth De Young
Returning to their roots in New York City, Interpol has graced a new generation of fans with an introspective yet robustly hopeful album. The group is famed for its moody, brooding sound, and while that remains a foundation in “This Mirror Weighs a Ton,” it also carries an overarching sense of grit and perseverance.
Interpol came about with the turn of the century, originally consisting of Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler, Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy. While the group has faced a few shake ups, the lineup still contains Banks as lead vocals and rhythm guitar, and Kessler as lead guitar. The original duo is currently collaborating with Sam Fogarino (drums/percussion), Brandon Curtis (keyboard/backing vocals) and Brad Truax (bass) under the name of Interpol for their eighth studio album.
Although the conglomerate comes from around the world, they’ve found a home base in Manhattan, NY; their first album “Turn On The Bright Lights” was written before the 9/11 attacks occurred, according to then bassist Dengler, but the events still deeply affected the band and their reception.
“Turn On The Bright Lights” had an emotional overcast across its track list, evoking a sound reminiscent of Joy Division. Interpol doesn’t shrink away from the shadows in their newest album, but rather meets them head-on - less of resignation and more of a challenge. “This Mirror Weighs a Ton” shows us that the only way to conquer the darkness in the world is to see it for what it is and be honest with ourselves.
From the cover art to musical content, their newest release takes aim at criticizing the current state of technology and surveillance in America; how do these advancements actually diminish our humanity?
Grappling with these themes led to an auditory evolution for Interpol. Not only do they lean into their biting lyrics and melancholy chords, but they also embrace some new technology with synthesizers and layered sounds to construct scenery. Each track has a defining feature that makes it distinctly deviant and delectable to the ears, yet none fall out of bounds of the artistic intent as a whole.
#12) Ever the Actor
If you enjoyed Interpol’s first album “Turn On The Bright Lights,” this might be the track for you. It fits in more directly with their older style of bleak lyricism and heavy basslines. The reason “The Mirror” is so heavy is due to the effort it takes to not only look truthfully at oneself, but also the courage necessary to change rather than continue the same performance.
#11) So Rides the Reindeer
“So Rides the Reindeer” is eerie yet whimsical, a true carousel of sound. The lyrics seem to revolve around the death of childhood wonder in favor of numbing out the world through one’s escapism method of choice; however, nothing can quite live up to the feeling of what once was. Instead of the easy faith that comes with believing in fairytales, the listener is challenged to have faith in themselves.
#10) Wings On Fire
Considering the messaging behind other tracks and the album itself, it feels as though “Wings On Fire” is an extended metaphor for global warming caused by corporations. “These insects” symbolize the everyday people who participate in personal efforts to combat climate change, but cannot create global change on such a level. It’s a harsh track with lots of guts to offer.
#9) Wounded Soldier
Giving voice to those who have had theirs silenced in horrific acts of war, “Wounded Soldier” rips through the listener like shrapnel. Banks, in an interview with The Guardian, said that the inspiration for the track came from drone videos online of soldiers’ last moments; something so heavy that gets passed around so quickly leads to the reflection of: “This is not a show/This is how it goes/That man, his body's out there/Buried in the snow.”
#8) Sudden
The final track on the album reckons with negative pattern recognition. Instead of taking a more uplifting exit, Interpol lets the listener sit with the weight of emotions the album encapsulates. While the piano and backing vocals emulate hope, the lyrics feel resolute in remaining somber.
#7) Bird and The Serpent
There’s a belief that the universe is balanced, maybe even arcing towards the side of good - “Bird and The Serpent” deals with the struggle to identify with this hope in modern society. Interpol asserts that the current framework America functions in is suffocating, but even those that challenge it are working from within “these nets.” Overall, the restless fight to break free is worth the struggle.
#6) Wake Up
The bass riffs and percussion mixes on “Wake Up” give it a very modern, almost radio-play feel in the best way. It has a lightness and funk to it that is fresh for Interpol; however, that lightness is meant to cloud the message - presumably about how the current media cycle keeps audiences drowned in information rather than on top of it all. The lyrics are simple and direct, “And the beast is in the headlines/Getting crowned on the radio,” yet easy to ignore if one isn’t truly listening.
#5) See Out Loud
Abrupt and passionate, “See Out Loud” doesn’t pull any punches. It’s equal parts love song and one of yearning; Kessler’s verse of questions - “Am I the one to know what you've done?/Am I a lover or someone you came for?” - serve to perpetuate the rapid spiraling of the song. There’s a longing to be a part of something more, but a rawness that comes with it that’s hard to embrace.
#4) Enemy
The deepest and most everlasting relationship we have in our lives is with ourselves; knowing oneself can sometimes come with an unbearable weight and a confusion as to how anyone else could accept every piece of you. “Enemy” faces the internal and external sources of doubt with a poignant orchestral sound, layered with remorseful vocals to bring the darkest parts of oneself to light.
#3) This Mirror Weighs a Ton
The title and opening track cracks the top three due to its unflinching honesty. “This Mirror Weighs a Ton” lures in the listener with a slow, trip-hop synth sound only to turn into an ethereal prayer for a better future. It challenges listeners to not only reflect on themselves, but also on how their community has fallen into comfortable, yet damaging patterns. If we connect without wires or devices, can we disrupt these patterns?
#2) Iron City
Technological advancement sometimes steamrolls the individual in favor of “progress” - “Iron City” envisions a cold landscape, lacking human connection. It sounds like a sister track to “Rhinestone Eyes” from Gorillaz’s “Plastic Beach,” critiquing the wasteland we call home. Even its mix of twinkling synths and slow rhythms calls to mind a desolate walk towards a home that is no longer there.
#1) Darling Thoughts
A rhythmic masterpiece that builds anticipation just to let it dissolve instead of fully dropping lends itself to a grandiose message - we have all been fighting the same battles; it’s time to look outwards rather than inwards for hope and positive progress. “Darling Thoughts” differs from other tracks as it doesn’t get angry at the world, but positions the listener as someone who is capable of changing their internal world instead.
Whether you’ve been listening to Interpol since their debut album in 2002 or have just recently heard the name, “This Mirror Weighs a Ton” has something to offer you. It’s complex without being condescending, important without a sense of pretentiousness. Interpol is able to speak to a world we all live in while still offering a unique and valuable outlook on it. Give “This Mirror Weighs a Ton” a spin when you need to be understood without speaking the words for the thousandth time, and Interpol will soundtrack your feelings fittingly.