New Figure: “Don’t Hate You”

Figure might not hate you, but he definitely doesn’t mind making you feel claustrophobic. “Don’t Hate You” follows up his excellent Come Down album from last year, and it sticks to the same sonic principals that made that six-track set so good – Figure records his music in a way that makes the guitar come off like a concrete wall, with his vocals buried somewhere behind them trying to break out. It can sound oppressive, but Figure makes sure to include plenty of catchy details (the guitars, while sounding thick, also sound lovely) to make this more than the sonic equivalent of being locked in a boiler room. It’s tempting to compare “Don’t Hate You” with the music made by American outfit DIIV – they certainly have similarities – but Figure sounds a bit more locked in than anything those guys have done. Listen below.