Mogwai: “Mexican Grand Prix”
The full disclosure part of this post would be that I haven’t enjoyed Mogwai much since Happy Songs for Happy People – Mr. Beast is too turgid and heavy and hook-free, and The Hawk is Howling is just kind of boring, which I wouldn’t necessarily expect from the band that made “Mogwai fear Satan,” but whatever. That being said, it’s sort of amazing that they’re still making records – I wouldn’t peg instrumental post-rock as a genre that’s ripe for longevity.
So it was a pleasant surprise when the new Mogwai record, Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, was… actually pretty great! There’s a lot more melody, faster songs, a lot more movement, a couple excursions out of their comfort zone, a bit of singing – not a hugely different formula for success than their best records (Young Team and Rock Action), and I think anyone who’s expecting something truly new out of them hasn’t been paying attention, but unlike the last couple records, I keep finding reasons to put this one back on. One of the most compelling reasons would be this song right here (segue!):
