Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You (2023)

"On opening track "Like It or Not," the spare mandolin plinks, harmonizing strings, and even supporting vocals from Dane Waters all sound like they're happening in separate corners of the same room. On every track, Oldham's voice and ever-unique songwriting style are in the spotlight. There are moments of sparse, conversational Americana sweetness like the gentle back and forth between electric piano and sung verses on "Sing Them Down Together," hushed devotional balladry on the minimal "Rise And Rule (She Was Born In Honolulu)," and some puckish absurdity on the confusing sensuality of "Bananas". "Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You" is slow moving, intentional, and mysterious, with Oldham's long-practiced balance of menace and thoughtfulness at its peak. Like the best of Bonnie "Prince" Billy's work that came before it, "Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You" is the kind of record that gets played over and over until it feels like a part of the listener's personal history. (Allmusic; 4,5 uit sterren)