Hey What (stylized in all uppercase) is the thirteenth and final studio album by Minnesota-based duo Low, released on September 10, 2021, through Sub Pop. It is their third recording in a row produced by BJ Burton, building on the distorted sound of the band's previous album Double Negative (2018).
Burton and Hey What were nominated in the Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical category at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. It is their only album as a duo of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker, all earlier Low albums being recorded as a trio.
Hey What, described as a minimalist album and an "organized chaos", builds its tracks around two vocals (performed by Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker), surrounded by a "roaring electronic noise", which Pitchfork compares to an "electrical storm in the cavern between two earbuds". The vocals are described as a "little deeper and rounder at the edges than" on previous records. Pitchfork adds that every sonic decision on the album is "shorn of excess and beheld with close attention, conveying feeling beyond words".
Thematically, Hey What creates a contrast between crystalline vocals and prevailing distortions, interpreted as a "reminder that darkness and light are inseparable". Loud and Quiet felt that the album was instilled with "a little more hope than much of Low's recent work", while not radiating "happy-clappy" energy it "hits a note" of stoicism; it makes no promises about the future, but seems at least to have the temerity to believe that there will be one".
Impossible to separate this from its tragic context. I like Low, saw them a couple times in concert, but wasn't really a superfan, but for some reason Mimi Parker's death really gets to me. This is a very strong and affecting finale for the band, extra point for, you know, respects.
10/10
I can’t remember if I’ve heard any of Low’s albums before, but I think they’re a very unique band with an amazingly unique sound after listening to this and a few other albums
happy to call myself a new fan :D
I'm a fan of the music of Low. The albums Things We Lost In The Fire, The great Destoyer, Trust and Drums and Guns are my favorites. HEY WHAT is one of their weaker ones. It is one ofd their more recent ones and it does not add a lot to their oeuvre. It's not a bad album, but in comparison...
Just an amazingly textural and unreal LP. This was the album that put Low on my radar, and once I listened I understood the hype immediately. Though a bit slow in places, each track on this album contains some of the most creative, expressive uses of guitar and synth out there, and completely pushes the indie envelope in a way only this band can. Some will find this album boring and necessary with another Low LP on the list, but as someone in the target audience. I think this is a deserved nod to one of the most creative albums in an already experimental and insane discography.
Interesting album from a group I know from some of their Christmas songs. A lot of weird, noisy, long transitions between songs that didn’t always appeal but overall pretty good.
I absolutely ADORE Low - saw them live a few times. Was utterly heartbroken when Mimi parker passed away.
I would happily see one (or more) of their earlier albums added to the list in addition to this one, as it would be good to get something more representative of their slowcore-founding origins. I have no quibble with this album being added, as they really had evolved into something weird and new. The list has far too many artists with multiple albums present despite them doing the exact same thing.
Fave tracks - "More" -> "The Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off" is a hell of a one two album closer! Really, though, this is a whole album deal for me. I want to hear everything in context...
Love this band glad it has been added to this list. I haven't listened to this particular album much but that will be rectified in the future.
Faves: all of them.
Wow this is really powerful and emotional listening back now.
I’m a fan of low but didn’t give this album much time when it came out and following the tragic passing of Mimi I relived their earlier albums (things we lost and live in hope) rather than coming back to thiier last album.
Coming back to this now it clicks , a real final masterpiece from the band, bruised and distorted but still unmistakably tender
Thank you to whoever picked this album, it really made my day.
Sounds like what radiohead have been aiming for since OKC, mixed with a hint of JAMC noise and plenty of beautiful vocals. An absolute masterpiece, and a reminder of exactly why I started this in the first place - to listen to great albums I might otherwise never have chosen to put on. Thanks!
I liked this less than the other Low album I got.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
This is what happens when modern music needs new avenues to adventure. This to me was lo-fi rock music which seems like an oxymoron but here we are. The electronic/white noise sound mixed with a slightly upbeat tempo and limited grungy lyricism is what makes this that kind of album to me. Not something I truly enjoyed but it is different. 5.5/10
I only know Low as a Slowcore band. I had no idea they pivoted towards Industrial right before the passing of Mimi Parker. Never been a big fan of them though.
Okay, not sure if I like this. Very loud, but strangely shallow. Some of the crunchy distortion makes this sound like Imagine Dragons lol. Like a strong 2/5.
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