Parquet Courts’ thought-provoking rock is dancing to a new tune. Sympathy
For Life finds the Brooklyn band at both their most instinctive and electronic,
spinning their bewitching, psychedelic storytelling into fresh territory, yet
maintaining their unique identity.
Built largely from improvised jams, inspired by New York clubs, Primal Scream
and Pink Floyd and produced in league with Rodaidh McDonald (The xx, Hot Chip,
David Byrne), Sympathy For Life was always destined to be dancey. Unlike its
globally adored predecessor, 2018’s ‘Wide Awake!’, the focus fell on
grooves rather than rhythm.
“Wide Awake! was a record you could put on at a party,” says co-frontman
Austin Brown. “Sympathy For Life is influenced by the party itself.
Historically, some amazing rock records been made from mingling in dance music
culture – from Talking Heads to Screamadelica. Our goal was to bring that
into our own music.”