a lot of the big slowcore bands (duster, bedhead, low) have this thing where they're convinced that they're boring if they're 100% slowcore all the time so they try to "wake you up" with more upbeat moments or having other genres in the mix. i love the change of pace and its cool to see these touches and experimentation, but at worst it can feel a little lacking in confidence with lesser bands. and yet bluetile lounge is different.
bluetile lounge ironically sticks out for me in how "pure" both albums are. you really are getting 50 minutes of this and it's only going to get more pained, more narcotic, more melancholy from here. and it hits like a freight train for each climax it draws, almost out of you, like blood from a stone, swelling and sinking once again.
it's exactly every stereotype of 90s alt and indie stripped bare, with the leftovers soaking in that space to amazing effect, audio crackles, long takes and all. its what makes half-cut one of my favorite albums of all time.