Press Play: Foxygen

Jonathan Rado and Sam France hold true to their commitments to psyche listeners out in their newest album Hang. The album title foreshadows the feeling listener may find themselves puzzled to reach. It is deeply rooted in the genre the two artists have enticed listeners to so much with their band Foxygen. It psyches, pops, and rocks, but there is something indiscernible about it. It dives deep, but never reaches a base for listeners to touch. It’s a swaying enigma that hangs on the thread of over contemplation and confusion that is excruciating and all the while exhilarating. Here are five reasons to press play on Foxygen’s new album Hang:

1. The album is only half an hour. But listeners will spend time well beyond that marker by re-listening to the eight tracks over and over. It presents itself as a puzzle to be solved or a code to be cracked that will appeal to ones need to understand. Listeners may find themselves turning it off, but they will always come back to it. Like a lover that frustrates and fascinates you.  Listeners will always look for answers in this album that they can only find within themselves.
2. The album is reminiscent of something created by the late and great David Bowie. We all miss the creative genius of that shooting star that seemed to astonish us and fade away much too quickly. So, if you love for David Bowie is strong, and your grief heavy give Foxygen a try. Because with life and music alike, it is about forming new connections and loving new and old people and things.
3. The one caveat to this awesome album is that it is not for everyone. Foxygen recognizes and understands that. In fact, the Guardian quoted them saying that sometimes they still can’t decide if the album is for them.
4. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t fully understand all the lyric scenarios because you would be in the same space as the album’s creators. The album is not meant to be easily digested. It was incarnated in uncertainties and ambiguity, and those elements are part of what makes the album special.
5. Although there are a lot of differences in format and sonics Hang, it is reminiscent of previous albums. So, longtime fans of Foxygen will have comforts on the mind-bending that is Hang.