Freedom is Amen Dunes' 5th full-length, and the New York-based singer-songwriter works with Parker Kindred (Antony & The Johnsons, Jeff Buckley), Chris Coady (Beach House), Delicate Steve and his core band members to deliver 11 tracks. Full of electronic influences from Damon McMahon's younger years, the music is rhythmic and danceable. However, despite the upbeat lift, the McMahon deals with darker themes on Freedom: "growing up, childhood friends who ended up in prison or worse, male identity…" and his mother, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the beginning of recording. The hazy, druggy stylings of his past works are replaced by a "colorful mix of reality and fantasy," and Freedom is a bold leap forward that presents a "musical hint of things to come." Check out "Blue Rose," "Believe," "Miki Dora," and "Time."

• black vinyl pressing
• includes printed foldout insert + printed inner sleeve
  
• digital download included
• music label: Sacred Bones Records 2018
  

reviewed by rei kwondo 04/2018