"Hey What" is the 13th studio album by American indie rock band Low, released on September 10th, 2021. The album showcases the band's continual evolution by embracing new production techniques and methodologies. Focused more on sonic landscapes and textures, the album continues the exploration of abstract and distorted sounds that began with their previous album, "Double Negative."
"Hey What" received critical acclaim upon its release, with critics often highlighting its innovative use of noise and distortion, layered with the band’s trademark harmonies. The album consists of ten tracks, including standout songs like "Days Like These" and "Disappearing". The album is recognized for its poignant expressions of life’s complexities, combining beautiful vocal arrangements with harsh, processed sounds that add an undercurrent of tension to the overall composition.
As for the background, Low is a band that was formed in Duluth, Minnesota in 1993. Established by husband and wife duo Alan Sparhawk (guitar and vocals) and Mimi Parker (drums and vocals), the band is known for their minimalistic song arrangements and harmonized vocals. Over the years, they've developed a reputation for being innovative with their sound, pushing boundaries and defying genre labels. Low has been associated with the slowcore sub-genre but with "Hey What" and recent albums, they seem to be pushing the limits of that style towards more experimental and electronic directions.
