The Microphones: “The Glow, Pt. 2” (Album Review)

Genres: Indie Folk, Psychedelic Folk, Lo-Fi / Slacker Rock 

        Who, and what is the man behind The Microphones? The Glow, Pt. 2 examines these questions deeply and can be seen as a character study of someone who identifies more with the foundations of the world than being a human. Featuring an organic quality to its lo-fi sound, this album is such an intimate expression of the self that’s also able to be grand and expansive. We’re beings of nuance, containing conflict, sentimentality, and a wide range of emotions within ourselves. This entire scope of humanity is covered by The Glow, Pt 2.

        Phil Elverum’s shaky and fragile vocals are like a force of nature, with such malleability to convey both utter weakness and an ever-changing sense of self-importance. His performance shows himself as vulnerable and open, conveying a potent amount of sensitivity.  This emotional connection is so powerful that lyrics on how Elverum “faced death” and how his “chest still draws breath” on “The Glow, Pt. 2” feel colorfully grand, despite just referring to a failed relationship. 

        Elverum uses the dynamics between himself and the rest of the world to reveal aspects of his personality and how he views himself. Metaphors and personification of different elements of nature paint Elverum as both fundamentally human and something very different, sometimes simultaneously. “Headless Horseman” shows Elverum losing his sense of self, no longer being human, and having to cling to inanimate things and non-human creatures. Across The Glow, Pt. 2, he struggles with his sense of humanity in the face of adversity, and these transformations reveal his inner state of being. When he is transformed “into a stray dog from a mighty human man”, the image of failure and submission comes to mind. He becomes one with his base instincts, a simple, directionless beast. Each song on the album features similarly strong imagery that goes back to the question: Who is Phil Elverum?

        Throughout the length of The Glow, Pt. 2, Phil Elverum tries to come to terms with his own self-importance, contemplating his size and role in relation to the world. Gentle chaos guides this album, with brash sounds and tenderness mixing together to explore the many facets of Elverum’s existence. Narratively, there is much depth and meaning behind each lyric and each moment of music. Everything that’s done feels purposeful and poignant. Despite this, there isn’t as much cohesion sonically, with noticeable highs and lows on the record. The instrumental tracks and outros work well in terms of storytelling but take away from the listening experience. This, alongside the lo-fi recordings, which create muddled vocals and sounds even if it helps create intimacy, make for less compelling songs. There are a sizable number of tracks that have a narrative focus with strong songwriting. All in all, The Glow, Pt. 2 is an album that focuses on size and shape. Soft and warm feelings are given the proper weight they carry, and shaped into a massively dense cloud of sentimentality, striking the entirety of those it touches.

Favorite Tracks: I Felt Your Shape, The Moon, Samurai Sword, I Want Wind to Blow, I Felt My Size, Headless Horseman, The Glow, Pt. 2, I Want to Be Cold

Least Favorites: The Mansion

Enjoyment: Low 9

Critically: Low 9

Arbitrary Number: 9.3/10