Big Thief's Double Infinity is yet another instant classic

Despite their bassist leaving, the band still find positive answers to their intelligent questions

- Helen Brown

Big Thief have done it again. Despite the 2024 departure of their bassist of nine years, Max Oleartchik, the Brooklyn-built indie band's sixth album sounds like another instant classic. The combination of solidly crafted, intelligently soul-searching songs with the group's audible, alchemical joy in jamming together makes Double Infinity a record you immediately know you can trust to take the full weight of your day.

The title, Double Infinity, is a reference to a line in opener “Incomprehensible”. Opening with a sprinkle-jingle of bells before launching into one of the record's many addictive grooves, this is a song that finds band leader Adrianne Lenker setting the milestone of her 33rd birthday in the context of “eternity” and the ageing skins of her mother and grandmother. In her sweet, smart voice she confides that “I like a double number and I like an odd one too”.