There's much in Twin Shadow's second album that ploughs the leather-clad, hog-riding 80s rock-pop furrow that Gaga attempted on her last record. But where she fell for the occasionally overbearing bombast of the era, George Lewis Jr seeks out the finer details, using his second album to add more polish and shine to the arch synths of his debut.
The infectious beats and catchy hooks are still a driving force, but Lewis has abandoned the bedroom vibes to surge ahead with full-on amphetamine-induced vigor.
On Confess his tired, joyless music and moribund, hackneyed and hankey lyricism suggests a man whose concept of romanticism would go nicely with a Nairn cracker and dab of quince jelly.
Confess is a lot more likeable than Forget, a lot more pleasant and consistent. It's clearly more commercial too, although that's not properlyConfess is a lot more likeable than Forget, a lot more pleasant and consistent. It's clearly more commercial too, although that's not properly bad here. A pretty simple record but yet with multiple layres, impeccably crafted synths and some great cryptic lyrics. Definitely on my top3 of 2012.…Expand
A very strong, albeit somewhat expected, transition from his earlier release, Forget. Lewis has honed hisA very strong, albeit somewhat expected, transition from his earlier release, Forget. Lewis has honed his Duran-Duran-Seagulls-Tears/Fears-Bowie-Lost Boys-esque sound to a high-gloss sheen. Great stuff to put on and slip away into a distant, pastel-hued past; creepingly clever lyrics. In summary, it's the idea of the 80s as you wanted them to be -- funny thing this guy wasn't even old enough to remember.…Expand
A very linear and logical move, Gerorge Lewis Jr. crafts another pleasantly aching heart-breaker of an album. Confess basically magnifies allA very linear and logical move, Gerorge Lewis Jr. crafts another pleasantly aching heart-breaker of an album. Confess basically magnifies all of what made Forget such an amazing album. Yearning melodies, dancy synths, and love-scorned lyrics are all executed to perfection and undeniably what makes this such a listenable and rewarding album. With all instruments being played by Lewis, he scores the perfect soundtrack to all his emotional woes. Forget sounded like the work of someone trying to draw inspiration from memories of childhood and adolescence, hazy recollections from a past the author seemed determined to forget but just couldnt. Confess on the other hand is completely immersed in the present circumstances of its creator, a love starved neo-greaser with a soft side. Confess also benefits from the fact that the production while clearly taking its cues from 80's dance pop still sounds so of-the-moment. One of the years best.…Collapse
Confess is a much more confident, follow up to Forget and this is a definite positive. This new Twin Shadow is a much less likeable characterConfess is a much more confident, follow up to Forget and this is a definite positive. This new Twin Shadow is a much less likeable character than the one we heard in Forget, but an admirable one. Joyful and nostalgic soundscapes can be found across the board with highlights in Five Seconds, Mirror in the Dark and You Call Me On…Expand
After a storming debut, Twin Shadow follows up with what is arguably a more appealling album from start to finish. What you get at the core isAfter a storming debut, Twin Shadow follows up with what is arguably a more appealling album from start to finish. What you get at the core is pop music but with a dark and brooding atmosphere a la Depeche Mode. I admit that this is a lazy comparison - Twin Shadow brings more to the table than simply rethreading ground covered in the 80's but he is hugely inspired by the electro/synth pop of that period - Depeche Mode give you a rough idea of what you get here but with a 21st century tasted and Twin Shadow's original stamp present throughout. Again, it's the production that stands out on close, repeated listening. For some, "Confess" might lack the freshness of "Forget" but I don't agree with this as both albums are rooted in a sound that dates back 30 years or so. "Freshness" doesn't come into it. Twin Shadow has surprised me with how much I like his stuff and I would definitely recommend you check out his first two albums.…Expand
Very inspired by his influences Twin Shadow sophomore album sounds like a mix of duran druran,bowie,Anthony and the Johnsons. His musicVery inspired by his influences Twin Shadow sophomore album sounds like a mix of duran druran,bowie,Anthony and the Johnsons. His music strikes a balance between retro and modern. It can be fun at times but is something I wouldn't revisit.…Expand
