Arcade Fire - Reflektor Track-By-Track Review
We Exist We open with two short guitar clashes before sauntering into a Billie Jean-esque bass line over a crashing drum beat. The song then progresses into layers upon layers on synth overtones, all the while Win Butler singing of the clashes between youth and adulthood, and its violent consequences. It has a funky, disco feel about it, lacd with dark undertones. Be prepared to get butterflies.
rating: 4.5
Flashbulb Eyes Combining a reggae beat and fuzz-guitar, along with the topic of cameras stealing peoples souls, this is Arcade Fires most steampunk song. At 2 minutes 42 seconds, its also the shortest song on the record. With a standardised layout, it also stands out slightly from the previous tracks as being slightly unadventurous, not quite replicating the hooks and diversity seen in the previous two tracks, which is a shame. Nonetheless, an interesting topic to write about, and still has those moments of glory.rating: 3
Here Comes the Night Time Starting off relatively cautiously, with disjointed beats, Here Comes the Night Time gets into the groove about one and a half minutes in, with a pumping drum beat, layered with Beatles-esque bass, heavy synths and, to top it all off, saloon-like piano. This carries on nicely for the majority of the song, until about 4 minutes 40 seconds in when the listener is hit with a full carnival atmosphere, Arcade Fire clearly having taken inspiration from Haitis Rara culture. While not the most memorable track on the album, Here Comes the Night Time is pumped full of energy and a worthy addition to their canon.rating: 4
Normal Person Opening with what sounds like a monotonous radio interviewer, Normal Person seems to musically emulate Arcade Fires Neon Bible-era. Win Butler sings of the monotony of music, and how if thats what normal now, I dont wanna know. With an epic climax featuring heavy guitar work, with a garage-rock solo, Normal Person fits surprisingly well amongst the reggae and Rara influences, despite being predominately alt-rock.rating: m4