UnknownComponent

Unknown Component, a one-man band consisting of Iowa City native Keith Lynch, released its fifth album this year, titled In Direct Communication. Though the band is most well-known in the Midwest, it is rapidly gathering a following in the rest of the country.

The new album, released in July, features vocals that are, at times, pleasantly raspy and gruff. This is similar to those of bands like Green Day. Most tracks, such as “Between Guilt and Relief” and “Somewhere a Light Has Gone Out,” are based on keyboard melodies that add complexity to the otherwise simple formula of the songs. In “It’s a Fine Line,” the second track on the album, Lynch used dual-layer vocals and phasing between speakers to add some intensity, reflecting the power and seriousness of the song’s lyrics.

His other albums include Unreleased Songs Volume I, Separately Connected, Everything At Once Is Nothing All The Time, From Anywhere But Here, Rewired Reasoning and Living Through Technology.

While Lynch’s accomplishment of producing several solo albums should not be downplayed, it should still be said that Unknown Component, like any band, still has room to grow. Balance issues between instruments and vocals, and repetition sometimes distract the listener from the message of the positive, powerful songs. Though the music may not be perfect, it is clear that as Keith Lynch continues to produce music, Unknown Component is definitely a band to watch.  - Savannah Thompson