Amen Dunes – Death Jokes

Death Jokes is a jarring left turn for Damon McMahon. Six years have passed since Freedom, his euphoric take on heartland rock. If this restless follow-up is anything to go by, it’s the product of a very busy mind. Classic guitars and cinematic sweep are replaced by cut-and-paste electronics that are often fragmented and mangled, the sound of countless internet browser tabs playing at once. McMahon grappled with illness, a stop-start creation process, and the effects of the pandemic while conceiving the album. If lockdown records are washed by now, Death Jokes breaks the mould by being the best at encapsulating the feeling of being trapped, distracted, and despondent. 

Utilising samples and inspired by rave and club music (Amen Dunes hinted at this about-turn on the Underworld-esque loosie Feel Nothing), softly strummed chamber pop gets trod all over by stray drum machines (Rugby Child), while even the most warmly recognisable sounds fall apart into static and harsh, high BPMs. It’s at times a frustrating listen – just as a flow appears, dark, ominous vignettes (Joyrider, Predator) shatter the illusion. Eventually, reward arrives. Carrying you through the epic collage of Round the World is McMahon’s anchor of a voice, proving there’s beauty to be found in the disquiet.

Listen to: Boys, I Don’t Mind, Round the World