And just like clockwork, we find ourselves again drooling over GRAMMY-winning live electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL. Yes, they’re sexy, but more importantly, today we receive their fifth studio album Inhale / Exhale. The highly anticipated LP is out now via Rose Avenue/Reprise Records. Shortly after their Portola performance, where we heard some of their new tracks live alongside their classics, we can know bathe in all the splendor of their work.
Inhale / Exhale
The album charts new territory for the group, which has embarked on one of the most transformative decades of any act in their lane. Written in the throes of big personal changes and overhauled creative workflow. Inhale / Exhale‘s tender balance of sophisticated sound design and emotive songwriting garnered early support from Billboard, Rolling Stone, Zane Lowe, and earned the band their first #1 on Dance Radio. ‘Music is Better’ had the honors as the lead single for the album, earning them this massive achievement. The record followed impactful singles that represent the album’s range. ‘Lately’, ‘Break my Love’, and ‘Pressure’ have left their imprint in the last few months leading to the album’s full release.
In fascinating fashion, the album takes us on a spiritual journey that starts with the first deep inhalation of fresh air. ‘Inhale‘ opens up the journey with a short and sweet melody that opens up the range of feelings you’re about to experience through the LP. You can experience strong desires, senses of belonging, and lovingly melancholy. Tracks such as ‘Breathe‘ and ‘Levitating‘ convey lighthearted sexiness and flirtatious rhythms that play with some tempo change and romance-filled lyrics. The trio dives deeper into absolute fulfillment and courage. However, while ‘In The Moment‘ and ‘The Life‘ express that invincible feeling of love, ‘New York‘ offers a more grounding lense, trying to find a way back home from all the noise. The album contrasts the beautiful dynamic of thinking one has full control, versus uncertainty and disconnect.
Descent
Nevertheless, the most powerful tracks lie towards the end of the album. That confidence and euphoria from the first half of the album are diverted into doubt, sadness, and loss. ‘Edge of the Earth‘ and ‘Standing at the Gates‘ represent that dreamlike fogginess one feels after a love is gone. There’s a hauntingly beautiful sense of despair that overlooks the second half of the album. It is displayed with an even slower tempo and string arrangements that dig deep into your core. Lastly, ‘Exhale‘ releases all those negative emotions and brings us back to that ethereal optimism. Even though that lover is gone, the love was real. It reminds you of sending your past lover off to their new life without you, with nothing but cherished memories.
It’s okay, we are crying too. But a happy cry, mostly. RÜFÜS DU SOL does it yet again. We are thoroughly impressed with the allegories and pathos of the album. With multiple references to the cycle of breathing and how they relate to the way people love and go through relationships is truly wonderful. Writer’s pick for best track goes to title track two. ‘Exhale‘ feels like you have obtained peace through the experience. It reminds us of the ability to release lots of tension and bad juju through breathing out. And more importantly, being able to breathe again, soothingly.
RÜFÜS DU SOL
The core of RÜFÜS DU SOL remains the impenetrable connection with the band and their fanbase within the live show. Each new show reimagines how far the bond can extend. All in all, their immersive stage production becomes the fourth member of the group. Portola Festival and their performance on the Sydney Harbour offered a glimpse of their upcoming album tour.
The trio will bring Inhale / Exhale to multiple stages around the world, including all three stops of the South American editions of Lollapalooza as the only electronic headliner. The band had a few words on the release of the LP.
“This Record is very special to us. We’re incredibly proud of it and of what it represents for us as a group. We wrote lot of music together for this project, and decided early on that we were trying to create something more expansive than we have previously shared. it’s crazy to think we’ve been collaborating on this project together for almost 15 years, to know that we’re five albums deep now and we’re as excited about making music together now as when we started. shout out to all the fans who support us, this collaboration wouldn’t be possible without you.”
-RÜFÜS DU SOL
Who needs air when we can breathe in some RÜFÜS DU SOL?
