The Avalanches Drop 'No Bad Memories' Album — SkimNews
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- The Avalanches released their fourth studio album 'No Bad Memories,' a 31-track collection spanning nearly an hour and built on dense sampling, energetic beats, and effervescent melodies
- The Avalanches feature guest appearances from Jamie XX, Panda Bear, Karen O, Mike Patton, Carly Simon, and newer artists including Portraits of Tracy and Barry Can’t Swim, continuing their collaborative approach
- The Avalanches' 'One More Fantasy' pairs a Kraftwerk-inspired loop with Carly Simon’s soaring vocals, standing out as a highlight on the album despite its brevity
- The Avalanches incorporate nostalgic audio snippets from '90s and '00s technology and video games, with the album cover depicting an iPod and floppy disc personified, suggesting a theme of digital memory
- The Avalanches' debut 'Since I Lost You' used around 3,500 samples with no live instrumentation, setting a precedent for their sample-heavy, genre-blurring style that persists in evolved form on 'No Bad Memories'
Why it matters: The Avalanches have shifted from pure sample-based experimentation to a more song-centered approach without losing their sonic inventiveness, making 'No Bad Memories' accessible to broader audiences while preserving their cult appeal among fans of avant-pop and crate-digging production. This evolution solidifies their role as bridge-builders between underground sampling culture and mainstream indie pop.
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