Milwaukee's Northless have long been trudging within their brand a somewhat sprawling sludge. The band have consistently input further measures of post rock textures into their sound to create something a little bit more different from the norm. While still remaining mostly true to sludge on the whole the band seem to create something a little bit more tuneful and spacial.
World Keeps Sinking is the band's second LP but the band has no dearth in material released. The double LP opens with a sludgy and somewhat catchy opening riff in "Last of Your Kind" before forming into an almost slow version of hardcore not quite bog slow but not Agnostic Front fast either somewhere in between lies the rhythmic manipulation of Northless. Overall this track doesn't differ heavily from the rest of the record as the nearly 9 minute song acts as a template for the band's sound overall. Showing the melodic lead parts, forceful vocals and pounding drums.
At points the band takes away or adds something to the overall mix "Kuru" offers an almost out of tune sounding single guitar figure drenched in feedback giving an almost uncomfortable calm before allowing the song to truly kick in. The most "normal" songs (and possibly catchiest) are the shortest as they make stronger use of their function and the riffs used within. These songs allow Northless to be concise and more simple rather than stretching out their structures to the limit.
While it isn't always bad for band's to play loose with their structures or their limits sometimes it also forces the listeners ear. If each moment isn't made a priority by the bands the song or listeners attention can waiver. At points this becomes the trap that Northless set for themselves. Overall Northless remain a band playing an interesting mix of heavy styles as a listener I remain interested in what they choose to offer hoping that they take advantage of their time more wisely next time.
