Parquet Courts is a New York City based band headed by lead singer and guitarist Andrew Savage. Their fresh take on the rock genre has accumulated them a sizable audience since their foundation in 2010. 

Three years had passed since they last released a full length album, and the events that unfolded during this time are reflected heavily in their latest project, Sympathy for Life. In the song “Marathon of Anger”, the lyrics recall the protests that broke out all across the country following the murder of George Floyd. They reference the growth of “community” through their shared anger for the injustice in our country. This track also creates a change in the record’s style with its synthetic production; it followed “Walking at a Downtown Pace”, and “Black Widow Spider”, which are more closely related to their previous work with their blaring guitars and aggressive vocals. 

This style change continues into the rest of the record, specifically with the song “Plant Life”, which delivers an irresistible groove and almost forces you to dance. This song also leans heavily on the use of synthetic instruments, specifically in the hook. 

A third song continuing this style shift is “Application/Apparatus”, which sounds like it was made on a spaceship. The bizarre sound effects and distorted background noise create a futuristic feel which is unlike something I have heard from them before. This experimentation, I believe, is something that could be closely related to the past year. So much time alone can be a perfect environment to explore with new ideas. 

I had the pleasure of seeing Parquet Courts live at Higher Ground recently, and it was a very new experience compared to concerts pre-COVID. At the gate, you had to show your vaccination card to ensure the safety of all concert goers. This led to far less masks than usual, which was an uneasy feeling at first after having to wear them inside for so long, but I felt confident due to the vaccination checks everyone had to undergo. 

Aside from COVID, it was an amazing experience to hear this album live. The new sound translated perfectly into a live performance, and created a great energy the whole night. As much as I loved the new sound that Parquet Courts created on this album, when seeing the band live the more classic songs were what got the crowd jumping. I clearly remember the start of “Walking at a Downtown Pace”, when I didn’t realize I was about to be pulled into a massive mosh pit being formed. Quickly, the concert hall became an all out war zone, people being tossed every which way. This is a part of concerts that I have a love-hate relationship with; for the first couple of songs I am having the time of my life, but as it comes to a close I’d much rather be in the back enjoying the music. 

My favorite part of the concert was the final song, “Pulcinella”. This is the closing track off of their new album, and my personal favorite. It gives a satisfying yet melancholy end to the night, as “Savage” matches the somber energy of the instrumental perfectly with some of the most heart wrenching lyrics I have heard. For instance, the song finishes up with the lyrics,

I got so wrecked up waiting for you 

Now your cheeks are pushed high 

With the salt from your eyes in the taste of them 

Who am I when I can’t be unwound? 

“Darling, it’s me”, as the mask comes off 

“It always was”

This was a beautiful note to cap off a spectacular night. It felt amazing to be able to enjoy live music again, and created a sense of community that hasn’t been felt in a while.