Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) - Car Seat Headrest

Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) - Car Seat Headrest
2018, Matador Records

Seven years ago today, solo artist Will Toledo released Twin Fantasy, one of many albums performed, recorded, and produced all by himself. Originally released to Bandcamp, the album was praised by those who found it and it gained Toledo a cult following on the internet. Fast foreword a few years: After signing to Matador Records, forming a proper band, and releasing the lauded Teens of Denial (2016), Toledo and company got to work on re-recording the cult-classic album, releasing it under the name of Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) in February of 2018. The end result is a bigger and arguably better album that reaches beyond what Toledo originally recorded in his teenage seclusion.

Everything about this album is outstanding. The energy of the performances blow me away every time I listen to the album and call me to dance to its invigorating rhythms on tracks like Bodys and Nervous Young Inhumans. The nuances of the performances keep the album from getting boring, which is especially helpful with lengthy tracks such as the 13 minute track Beach Life-In-Death and the sprawling 16 minute track Famous Prophets (Stars). Speaking of nuances, Toledo's use of his vocals is awe-inspiring. His tendency to layer vocals and switch between traditional singing and a more spoken word delivery reinforces the idea of vocals being another instrument. In High to Death, Toledo's vocals are ripped to shreds and sampled as unintelligible syllables all while a painter explains her relationship with her art. It feels like every lyric and the way it is delivered is purposeful and all ads to the album, with the exception of the overly-long monologue that occupies the second half of Nervous Young Inhumans.

But what exactly is Toledo singing about? That is one thing that hasn't changed: the message. Twin Fantasy is a concept album about a relationship Toledo was engaged in at the time of originally recording. The lyrics deal with the swirling emotions he was feeling, not only feelings of love but also of panic and discomfort, emotions Toledo wrestled with. The result is an album that seethes with teenage emotion and relatability (perhaps this is why I love the album so much). Toledo strikes a perfect balance between relatable and profound, familiar, yet insightful, and this balance, along with the musical performances, culminates into one of the best albums I've ever heard.
9.5/10

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