Low - Double Negative

Review by Charlotte Healy

Double Negative by Low: A Beautiful Mess That Sticks With You Alright, let’s talk about Double Negative by Low. Released in 2018, this album is like that one friend who shows up to a party wearing mismatched socks but somehow pulls it off because they’re just so damn cool. It’s hard to pin down exactly what genre it belongs to—Alternative? Pop/Rock? Experimental Ambient Sadcore Leftfield Shoegaze Dream Pop Avantgarde Noise Abstract Whatever? Yeah, sure, all of the above. This record doesn’t care about labels (except Sub Pop and Big Nothing, I guess). Instead, it throws sounds at you like confetti at a New Year's bash—chaotic, colorful, and kinda magical. The trio behind Low—Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker, and Steve Garrington—teamed up with producer BJ Burton, who clearly had some caffeine-fueled epiphany when he decided to glitch out their usually mellow vibe. The result? An album that feels both alien and intimate, like listening to your own heartbeat through headphones made of broken glass. Now, onto the tracks. Let’s zoom in on two standouts: "Always Trying To Work It Out" This song hits different. Like, really different. Imagine if you took a slowcore ballad, ran it through an industrial blender, and then sprinkled glitter on top. That’s “Always Trying To Work It Out.” The lyrics are cryptic enough to make you want to write poetry while staring out a rain-streaked window, but the real kicker is the production. There’s this weird, distorted hum running underneath everything, like someone left a microwave on during recording. But instead of being annoying, it adds this unsettling tension that keeps you hooked. Halfway through, the track collapses into staticky chaos before snapping back into focus. It’s jarring, yeah, but also strangely satisfying—like biting into a jalapeño brownie. "Rome (Always In The Dark)" If “Always Trying To Work It Out” is the emotional rollercoaster ride from hell, “Rome (Always In The Dark)” is more like floating in zero gravity. The vocals here are hauntingly beautiful, with Alan and Mimi trading lines like they’re whispering secrets across a crowded room. And oh man, those synths—they swell and recede like waves crashing against a moonlit shore. By the time the bass flute kicks in (courtesy of Maaika Van Der Linde), you might find yourself wondering if you’ve accidentally wandered into a David Lynch fever dream. Spoiler alert: you haven’t. You’re just vibing with Low. --- So why does Double Negative stick with me? Maybe it’s how unapologetically weird it is. Or maybe it’s because every listen reveals something new—a buried lyric, a subtle texture, or a moment where the distortion almost feels intentional (okay, fine, it probably was). Either way, this album isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for polished perfection, go stream some Taylor Swift remixes or whatever. But if you dig music that challenges you, messes with your head, and leaves you feeling like you just survived a sonic earthquake, then buckle up, buttercup. And hey, fun fact: did you know the liner notes were written by someone named 天井潤之介? I don’t know who that is either, but now I kinda want to be friends with them. They seem mysterious. Final thought: Listening to Double Negative is like eating burnt toast—it shouldn’t work, but somehow, it totally does.

Artist: Low
Album: Double Negative

2018

Rating: 4.83

Review
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Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
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Notes
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About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: low-double-negative.zip

MP3 size: 61.2 mb
FLAC size: 717.4 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Disarray	3:52
Dancing And Blood
The Son, The Sun	3:30
It's All Been Done	3:36
Fly	5:48
Rome (Always in the Dark)	3:32
Always Trying to Work It Out	3:55
Dancing And Fire
Always Trying To Work It Out
Dancing and Blood	6:22
Poor Sucker	3:35
Always Up	5:28
Rome (Always In The Dark)
Tempest	4:48
The Son, the Sun	03:30
Dancing and Fire	4:17
Quorum	3:42

Images

Album herunterladen Low - Double Negative

télécharger l'album Low - Double Negative

Catalog Numbers

SP1250
SP 1250
A 71250-P
SP0001250
OTCD-6498, SP 1250

Labels

Sub Pop
Big Nothing, Sub Pop

Listen online

kuunnella verkossa
écouter en ligne
lytte på nettet
ascolta in linea
lyssna på nätet
escuchar en línea
online anhören
ouvir online
online luisteren

Formats

Cassette
Album
Vinyl
LP
Limited Edition
Pink/Clear mix
Promo
Test Pressing
White Label
Stereo
Opaque White
Clear
Loser Edition
11 × File
MP3
320 Kbps
Purple
CD
FLAC
Album CD

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Sub Pop Records
Copyright (c)	Sub Pop Records
Published By	1238 Publishing
Recorded At	April Base
Mastered At	Record Technology Incorporated
Lacquer Cut At	Salt Mastering
Exclusive Retailer	Electric Fetus
Pressed By	Record Technology Incorporated
Record Company	Sub Pop Records
Distributed By	Ultra-Vybe, Inc.
Licensed From	Sub Pop Records
Manufactured By	Cargo Records

Credits

Role	Credit
Artwork By	Peter Liversidge
Photography By	Peter Liversidge
Editor	David Kramer
Design	David Kramer
Engineer	Brett Bullion, Zach Hanson
Management	Paradigm Agency, Robin Harris , Scary Monsters Management
Performer	Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker, Steve Garrington
Producer	BJ Burton
Recorded By	BJ Burton
Mixed By	BJ Burton
Mastered By	BJ Burton
Songwriter	Low
Music By	Low
Tour Manager	Matt Silcox
Artwork	Peter Liversidge
Image Editor	David Kramer
Band	Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker, Steve Garrington
Musician	Maaika Van Der Linde (tracks: 5)
Bass Flute	Maaika Van Der Linde (tracks: 5)
Edited By	David Kramer
Photography	Peter Liversidge
Liner Notes	天井潤之介
Booking	Paradigm Agency

Notes

Limited to 500 copies.
© ℗ 2018 Sub Pop Records.
1238 Publishing administered by Branch Music / BMI.
Made in the U.S.A.
On sticker:
Clear/Pink vinyl exclusively available at Electric Fetus.
Printed inner sleeve. Includes digital download code.
White generic sleeve with sticker
©℗ 2018 Sub Pop Records.
Some copies came with a mask, signed by the band.
'Opaque white' vinyl colour exclusive pressing. Colour chosen by Alan Sparhawk.
Loser Edition. First run colored vinyl with an MP3 download card. Includes card-stock mask insert.
1238 Publishing administered by Branch Music / BMI
Low
P.O. Box 600
Duluth, MN
55801 USA
© ℗ 2018 Sub Pop Records. Sub Pop is a registered trademark of Sub Pop Records. 2013 Fourth Avenue, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA 98121 SubPop.com
Download from coupon included in LP versions of Double Negative.
Newbury Comics exclusive pressing on purple vinyl, limited to 300.
Embossed record jacket, printed inner sleeve, and includes digital download.
Special Thanks to all at April Base, our live sound engineer Tom Herbers, Tour manager Matt Silcox, Paradigm Agency, Scary Monsters Management, Robin Harris and everyone who has given us their time, talents, and love.
LOW
Comes in a oversized gatefold slipcase
Regular black vinyl pressing, with an MP3 download card.
Loser edition on clear vinyl.
Includes :
Card-stock mask insert.
Printed inner sleeve.
MP3 download code.
Album title is misspelt as "Double Negativ" on spine.
Center labels states "Made in the U.S.A." but the record was actually pressed in Germany by Optimal Media GmbH.
Recorded at April Base and The Terrarium
Includes a bonus disc. Disc 1 is in fact the US release, with its shrink wrap displaying "Made In Mexico."
Square 4-panel digisleeve with embossed cover & white cardboard sleeve to house CD.
On CD:
Sup Pop is registered trademark of Sub Pop Records.
2013 Fourth Avenue, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA 98121
subpop.com

Barcodes

Barcode: 098787125047
Barcode (Text, on sticker): 098787125030
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched): 30648.1.. SP 1250 A
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched): 30648.2... SP 1250 B Salt
Rights Society: BMI
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A): 30648.1.. SP 1250 A
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side B): 30648.2... SP 1250 B Salt
Matrix / Runout (Side A): BI28362-01 A1
Matrix / Runout (Side B): BI28362-01 B1
Barcode (Sticker, text): 4 059251 293811
Barcode (Sticker, scanned): 4059251293811
Barcode (Back cover, text): 0 98787 12501 6
Barcode (Back cover, scanned): 098787125016
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): BI28362-01 A1
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched, mirrored): 1Ʌ
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): BI28362-01 B1
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched, mirrored): 1Ʌ
Barcode (Scanned): 098787125016
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout): SP1250 A 30648.1..
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout): SP1250 B Salt 30648.2...
Barcode: 098787125016 SP1250
Barcode (Text): 0 98787 12502 3
Barcode (String): 098787125023
Matrix / Runout: IR.4.1250.SA.1 01
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L247
Mould SID Code: IFPI KKNP
Barcode: 098787125016
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched, variant 1): BI28362-01 A1 V↾
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched, variant 1): BI28362-01 B1
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout etched, variant 2): BI28362-01 A1
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout etched, variant 2): BI28362-01 B1
Barcode (Stickered): 4 059251 267454
Barcode (Printed): 0 98787 12501 6
Matrix / Runout (Side A, hand-etched): BI28362-01 A1
Matrix / Runout (Side B, hand-etched): BI28362-01 B1
Barcode (Text): 4 526180 458982
Barcode (String): 4526180458982
Matrix / Runout (Disc 1): IR.4.1250.SA.1 01
Mastering SID Code (Disc 1): IFPI L247
Mould SID Code (Disc 1): IFPI KKNP
Matrix / Runout (Disc 2): OTCD-6498B (SM1-I80331//3A)
Mastering SID Code (Disc 2): IFPI LP50
Mould SID Code (Disc 2): IFPI JU16
Rights Society: JASRAC
Barcode (Scanned): 098787125023
Matrix / Runout: [Cargo Records logo] SPCD 1250 AI37617-01
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L578
Mould SID Code: IFPI 9759

About Low

American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota. Formed in 1994. Members: Alan Sparhawk (vocals, guitar, piano), Mimi Parker (vocals, drums) , Steve Garrington (bass, 2008-2021), Zak Sally (bass, 1994-2005), John Nichols (bass, 1994), Matt Livingston (bass, 2005-2008).

Members

Alan Sparhawk
Mimi Parker
Zak Sally
Matt Livingston
John Nichols
Steve Garrington
Elizabeth Draper

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that Low's 2018 album *Double Negative* is a genre-defying masterpiece? It blends everything from ambient and noise to art rock and dream pop. The band worked with producer BJ Burton, who pushed their sound into experimental territory. One standout moment? Maaika Van Der Linde added bass flute on track 5, giving the album an unexpected twist. The haunting visuals and design by Peter Liversidge tied it all together, making it feel like a complete artistic experience. Critics and fans still rave about how it breaks the mold of traditional rock records.

Comments

mistybluetoyou

2025-03-11

I have never before heard of a group transforming so much 25 years into their career and getting even better and so much more interesting. Don't get me wrong, I thought their old stuff was amazing, but their last record blew my mind and this one literally turned it to Mush. Back in my day it was always the young hip artists doing the crazy new music but nowadays they just do the same mind numbing rapping pop over and over again and we have old-timers like Low etc pushing the envelope! Unreal! Furthermore I can't believe that some listeners would hear this album and their first response would be to log onto on AllMusic and give it two or three stars, as if to say, "meh, average... that's my opinion." Wow. Try listening a little louder or something.