Let It Hiss is an all-round vibrant record that leaves you feeling with good vibes at the end of it. That’s in part because of the overall feelgood nature of this Montreal-based indie-folk outfit’s obvious niceness. But it is also a result of the colorful eclecticism that The Barr Brothers bring into this album, on their own, and through various collaborations with other Quebec-based artists.
There is an easygoing Seventies singer-songwriter feel throughout this band’s fourth release, which is so calming. “Take It From Me” has gentle pianos and harp accents, and an undeniable Mediterranean charm highlighted by its easy-going acoustic guitar solo. “Owning Up To Everyone,” with its soft drums, lazy guitars, and gentle bongo percussion, is breezy. “Let It Hiss” is soulful and bright; with its jovially goofy guitar parts and rousing chorus, it is like a feelgood folk party song.
“Naturally,” featuring singer-songwriter La Force, has the same mellowness as the other numbers, but with a jazzy feel that has La Force’s imprint, complete with a soft saxophone solo. The weird folk-punk cacophonous twist towards the end of this track, with its chaotic mishmash of sounds led by unruly acoustic guitar strumming, adds a nice bit of strangeness to it. “Moonbeam” features the artist Klô Pelgag, where the combination of Pelgag’s angelic voice and French words add a novel twist to the lush folkiness of the song. On “Run Right Into It,” featuring Land of Talk, classic rock meets Americana in a dreamy and road-trippy way, where a sweeping rhythm meets serene vocal harmonies and summery guitars.
“She Doesn’t Sleep With The Covers On” and “Upsetter” are the album’s fun outliers. The former is the catchiest song on the album, where the band does reggae, with its tropical vibes, reggae groove, and a reggae pop-invoking electronic drum sound, with lyrics that appear to have been conceived whilst being drunk on piña colada: “But I’m a peanut when she hits the tom drum; Yes, I’m a peanut when she hits the tom drum; And I’ll heed it when she hits the tom drum; Yeah, I’ll repeat it when she hits the tom drum.” On the other hand, “Upsetter,” the album’s second catchiest song, is a wild Seventies garage rock number with noisy and gooey guitars, and vocals with a riotous disposition, making merry by creating a bit of well-mannered havoc.
In the end, Let It Hiss seems like a celebration. Its folky roots definitely keep things in check without letting its overall positive mood sound too merry, but also not without leaving you with a smile on your face once you finish listening to it.
