Big Thief Double Infinity
In addition to being immensely talented and insanely prolific, Big Thief is famously just about the most tightly knit indie band around – just do a Google search of their photos, and you’ll see nary a hint of daylight between the four members. That was, until bass player Max Oleartchik left the band for what the group collectively termed “interpersonal reasons.” Would this split upend a near-decade’s worth of unmatched chemistry, which had previously climaxed with 2022’s 20-song epic, Dragon Warm Mountain I Believe in You? In a word: No. After sporadic touring, solo records from all three remaining band members, and producing a record from underappreciated folk artist Tucker Zimmerman, the now-trio is back with their first proper album in over three years. Double Infinity represents a new approach for the band, while still allowing them to be their folky, quirky best.
For most of the band’s existence, singer-guitarist Adrianne Lenker has been Big Thief’s primary songwriter, and while that’s somewhat true on Double Infinity, guitarist Buck Meek and drummer James Krivchenia play a larger role. That collaboration shows up most appreciably in “Los Angeles,” a sunny acoustic number that begins with in-studio laughter and explores the changing nature of relationships – “And there is so much that I wish I could’ve been for you somehow/But we don’t need to talk about that now/We’re finally in a good place meeting face to face.” Numbers play a large part here – street addresses, plane seats and time of day (3:33 – lots of threes show up) – and across the album. The album’s lead track, “Incomprehensible,” is a subtly driving, digitized look at counting up the years – “In two days it’s my birthday and I’ll be 33” – and trying to tell yourself that, in the grand scheme of things, who cares?: “That doesn’t really matter next to eternity.”
That closeness that Big Thief has always enjoyed has also, until recently, meant that their records were pretty much a closed set – not a lot of guest musicians made the cut. Perhaps owing to the enjoyment they felt from the open collaboration with Tucker, Double Infinity has more of a collective feel. Singer and ambient multi-instrumentalist Laraaji contributes drones via both zither and iPad, as well as gorgeous, ethereal vocals to “Grandmother.” Jazz bass player Joshua Crumbly fills in more than capably for the departed Oleartchik, particularly when anchoring the seven-minute, trance-like mantra “No Fear.” And a number of background singers and percussionists helped fill up The Power Station with a warm, communal spirit. While one of the overarching themes of Double Infinity – open, unabashed love (and, in “All Night All Day,” unbridled lust) – might carry over from Lenker’s gorgeous 2024 solo record, the name of that album, Bright Future, also indicates where her band is headed. Flashing back to the top of this album, Lenker sings, “Everything I see from now on will be something new.” The ever-evolving Big Thief refuses to sit still, and our ears are better for it.
Song I Can’t Wait to Hear Live: “Los Angeles” – This dreamy travelogue – “I’d follow you forever/Even without looking” – might be the prettiest thing Big Thief’s put to record. And that’s no small feat.
Double Infinity was produced, engineered and mixed by Dom Monks and mastered by Matt Colton. Big Thief is Adrianne Lenker, Buck Meek and James Krivchenia. All songs written by Lenker, with co-writes going to Meek and Krivchenia. Additional musicians on the album include Laraaji (zither, vocals), June McDoom (background vocals), Alena Spanger (background vocals), Hannah Cohen (background vocals), Joshua Crumbly (bass), Mikel Patrick Avery (percussion), Mikey Buishas (live tape loops, keys), Jon Nellen (percussion), Adam Brisbin (guitar) and Caleb Michel (percussion).
Go here to order Double Infinity (out September 5): https://store.bigthief.net/
Check out tour dates here: https://www.bigthief.net/tour
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: Big Thief at Ulster Performing Arts Center