I Know Leopard - Love is a Landmine
Artist: I Know Leopard
Album: Love is a Landmine
Released: April 5, 2019
Label: Ivy League Records
Band Members:
- Luke O'Loughlin - Vocals, Keyboards
- Rosie Fitzgerald - Bass, Backing Vocals
- Jennifer McCullagh - Violin, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
- Todd Andrews - Guitar
I don’t remember the first time I heard Sydney, Australia’s I Know Leopard but, unsurprisingly, it was in their home country where they really burrowed into my brain. My partner and I were sitting by a pool waiting for our ferry back to the mainland after a day of snorkeling and hiking on Fitzroy Island. Luckily for us, the bartender at the swim up bar had pretty excellent taste in music. After a few tracks, a song came on and when the chorus hit I caught myself humming and singing along. I didn’t know how I knew the song and I definitely couldn’t have named the band. A quick search of the few lyrics I knew told me that the song was the title track of this album. I couldn’t get the song out of my head and this album became the soundtrack for nearly all of the long drives for the rest of our two weeks in Australia.
Since then, I have listened to this album front to back countless times. Love is a Landmine is packed with retro, soft-rock grooves. All of the tracks are cleanly produced and packaged in a way that lets every layer and tiny detail shine through. Each playthrough exposes new little moments hiding in between huge synthesizers, punchy drums, and silky vocal melodies.
TOP TRACKS
1: “Landmine”
“Landmine” definitively sets the tone of this album opening with sweeping strings that abruptly cut into a thumping bass and drums combo that walk you into the song. Right out of the gate, Luke O'Loughlin drops my personal favorite lyric of the entire album: “I can't even look at you without the burn that turns my insides black and blue”. This song also uses the most rad synthesizer sound on the whole album that leads into and mimics the bass line in the chorus sections of the song. It adds an awesome texture to this section to help it contrast the softness in the verses.
2: “Everything Goes With You”
One of this track’s greatest strengths is the way it balances the straight ahead groove of the verses with the swaying, floaty choruses. I attribute this to the synergy between incredibly tight drum sounds and super buttery bass lines that shine through both sections. This is put on full display during the break at 1:50 - 2:15 where we are treated to a call and response between the two that builds into the final verse section.
3: “Heather”
This is undoubtedly the most in your face song on the album. It is a complete JAM that utilizes the quiet chorus/loud verse template with perfection. When the first “HEATHER!” hits it is a head-banging moment every time. On top of that, this track is full of the same lush, layered instrumentation that the rest of the album is built on.
8: “1991”
This song is just straight up FUN. It has that sound and vibe that is nostalgic to everyone no matter what generation you come from. If you can listen to this song without dancing you should get yourself checked out. As is standard on this album, it has killer grooves built around the rhythm section, beautiful vocal melodies and a soaring synth lead.