Opus Kink- 'The Sweet Goodbye'
Opus Kink have never sounded particularly interested in behaving themselves, and 'The Sweet Goodbye' is all the better for it. Their latest album is theatrical and unruly, bringing together a post-punk attitude, caberet drama, eccentricity and glimpses of something genuinely tender.
There's a sense throughout the album that Opus Kink are continuosly pushing at the edges of their sound. One moment the album feels confrontational and abrasive- the next, it opens into something beautiful. Rather than settling into a chosen mood, the record embraces tension, allowing the stranger moments to sit alongside moments of warmth and vulnerability.
The band's arrangements are particularly effective. There's a deliberately lived in quality to the instrumentation, with the music feeling as though it could unravel at any given moment. Yet, underneath the chaos, there is a strong sense of control. Opus Kink know exactly when to let a song spiral and when to pull it back, creating an entire album that feels unpredictable without ever being without direction.
Vocally, there's a similar theatrical quality. The performances carry mountains of character- moving between swagger, intimancy and melodrama. This gives the songs a distinctly human quality, making the album's more eccentric moments still feel grounded.
What makes 'The Sweet Goodbye' especially compelling is its refusal to choose between obvious darkness and joy. Who said we can't have both? They provide plenty of grit, but also romance and a sense of fun. The album feels decadent and chaotic, but never empty.
For listeners who enjoy alternative music with more of a personality, a bit more danger and imagination, Opus Kink have provided the perfect album- creating something theatrical without being overblown and experimental without losing it's core. A brilliantly alive and bold album.
Words by Milly Nicholson
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