and her eyes were painted gold

Last Saturday I got to see a band I've been waiting a few years to see. As it turns out, the wait was entirely worth it. I've been listening to their new album by The Besnard Lakes, Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO, for entire days, never tiring of it. Each song demands your distinct attention. There's layers upon layers of harmonies and ensemble vocals orchestrated with the finesse of Brian Williams, sustained shoegaze guitars that cocoon you, and pop sensibilities that shine through the melancholic psychedelia - if you look for it. The Besnard Lakes have always required active listening, but the true genius of this album are the small details you hear only with repeated, engaged exposure. As for seeing them live I can only draw one comparison, and that is to Blonde Redhead. This is a band comprised mostly of older musicians who in time have become so technically proficient with their instruments, that their songs are performed as effortlessly perfect as they'll ever played. I was struck by how cohesive the band sounded. The kind of cohesiveness, tightness that comes from watching experts do what they do best. I was blissfully lost in their noise.


The Besnard Lakes - "People of the Sticks"

(American Apparel mesh long sleeve, Mandy Coon leather top, necklace from a botánica, Risto skirt gifted from Mattie, Rodarte jacket) The Besnard Lakes' music reminds me of faraway places that one existed, but maybe don't anymore, and the longing that comes with that. I like to think of their music as the soundtrack to hazy memories of details. Not quite entire situations, but things like... the precise smell of a person who once laid beside you. So I decided to dress in nonrepresentational patterns with just a liiiittle hint of optimism as a way to capture their sound in my outfit.

Sometimes there's magical moments when what seems like ephemera ends up becoming two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. I feel that way about this Risto skirt and my Rodarte jacket, and not just because a long skirt begs for a cropped top! The jacket was a one-in-a-lifetime ebay find. It's a size too small and I can barely lift my arms higher than a 90 degree angle, but it has my heart. In some other universe, this jacket and this skirt were always meant to exist together - when worn together they take on this awesome symbiotic relationship.

Please listen to this album. You won't be disappointed. ♥