David Shrigley's album Worried Noodles The Empty Sleeve is a unique and unconventional work that defies categorization. The album, which features collaborations with various artists, including Franz Ferdinand, Deerhoof, and David Byrne, is a collection of spoken word pieces, songs, and instrumental tracks that explore themes of anxiety, loneliness, and absurdity.
The album's opening track, "The Jist," sets the tone for the rest of the album with its deadpan delivery and off-kilter lyrics. From there, the album veers off in unexpected directions, with tracks like "Don't Worry" featuring a haunting vocal performance by Adele Bethel and "The Bell" showcasing Shrigley's knack for surreal, stream-of-consciousness lyrics.
Despite its often bleak subject matter, Worried Noodles The Empty Sleeve is an oddly uplifting listening experience. The album's quirky instrumentation and playful production give even the darkest tracks a sense of levity and humor. This is particularly evident on tracks like "The Empty Sleeve," which features a catchy, sing-along chorus and a delightfully absurd spoken word section.