Jonathan Rado For Who The Bell Tolls For

One of the most in-demand producers in indie rock, and one half of Foxygen,Jonathan Rado's recordings for The Killers, Father John Misty, The Lemon Twigs,Whitney, and Weyes Blood devour the canon, and return something distinctlymodern. On For Who The Bell Tolls For, Rado's first solo release in ten years, theproducer unveils a refined version of his signature sound, intricately sculpted byanthemic maximalism and good old-fashioned studio magic.The album is an exercise in mournful maximalism, transforming the mythos of Americanpop music into a vibrant meditation on death. The spirit of late producerRichard Swift _ Rado's friend and mentor _ can be found across the collection, imbuingtracks like "Easier" with a tangible sense of loss, and Swift-ian turns of phrase. Onother songs, such as the addictive "Don't Wait Too Long," Rado paints anarena-ready production with streaks of longing and hopelessness. In many ways, ForWho The Bell Tolls For is a musical ode to Swift, nodding to the late producer'slegacy with homespun epics that straddle the line between joy and grief.Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York and Sonora Recorders and DreamstarII, Los Angeles, the album features appearances by Rado's frequent collaborators,including The Lemon Twigs, Brad Oberhofer, Andrew Sarlo, Jackie Cohen, and KaneRitchotte. Despite this esteemed lineup and the gargantuan sound of the record, ForWho The Bell Tolls For is a solo album at heart. Rado plays the studio like an instrument,his distinct voice present in every nook and cranny of the structure. Thispresence can be easily detected in every project that the artist touches, but it's neversounded so honest, so shimmering, or so Rado as it does here.