Belle & Sebastian Wrap Up Trilogy With Dreamy "How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 3)"

Belle & Sebastian's trilogy of EPs, all titled How To Solve Our Human Problems, has served as a very inward looking moment for the band. Each EP tackles something internal, be it a memory or a stressor. The same is true here, as Belle & Sebastian wrap up the trilogy with the dreamy How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 3), a gentle conclusion that even provides some answers.

Nothing is really different about the sound of How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 3), but they do sound confident with their aesthetic, stronger than they were in Part 2. The funky bass of 'Poor Boy' introduces the record, getting the record off to a fun start. It's nice to have that carefree vibe going on, after much of the rest of the trilogy has been more concerned with each detail of how they act. Not every song's sound follows its meaning, however. 'There Is An Everlasting Song' has some pretty sad lyrics behind its optimistic sound, chanting "There is an everlasting morning near the sun / It burns a hole in my heart, makes me want to run / And I would run all day if they give me the choice / I hear your voice."

While perhaps still not an album with much replay value, all the chapters of How To Solve Our Human Problems have had an important takeaway from them: they provided reflection. They let us look back at moments of our lives and wonder how to move past them. More than not, that's all it was: a moment of reflection. On Part 3, however, one track imparts some advice. Closing track 'Best Friend' takes a sweet tone and reflects upon the beauty of friendship, and ends it all off with one heartwarming and worthwhile message: "We can lie awake and watch the sky / Forget the truth, forget the lie / For the moment you're my best friend."

If these three EPs have taught us anything, it's that it's not easy to move on, from both the good and the bad. At times it seems all we can do is think about them and hope for another similar experience, or wonder how we can move on. Belle & Sebastian  wrap up the trilogy with the dreamy How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 3), imparting some final thoughts and advice to the listener before getting ready to embrace the rest of life head on.

Favorite Track: Best Friend

Least Favorite Track: Everything Is Now (Part Two)

Rating: 75 / 100

Stream or buy How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 3) on Apple Music, and follow our 2018 Playlist: