Their sophomore record demonstrates tons of growth, but I don't believe they've achieved their full potential just yet. A creative blend of shoegaze, post-punk, indie rock, and more, this record definitely takes you on a pleasant journey, even if the tracks don't always hit. The middle chunk of songs from "Don't" through "Ghost" are pretty sweet, with some inconsistencies to bookend. While I really enjoy "Real Deal" and "Cold Caller", some of the songs surrounding them meander a bit in a lost identity and vision; while I understand that "Movies" was supposed to be a cinematic piece to conclude the record, I think it actually dilutes the overall cinematic aura of the entire album. Overall, an extremely solid follow-up to… More
Eclectic but still focused. Songs are varied, musically and lyrically, but the ethereal-melancholic-minimalist pop sensibility is always there.
Unexpected but not disorientating. Instruments complement each other perfectly and serves the song and vocal delivery, often times in a surprising way.
Tempo and rhythm changes flow organically and dynamically, keeping the ears comforted and engaged but not over stimulated.
Production sound polished but not over processed. Subtle details are meticulously crafted, enhancing main features of the band while keeping the rawness intact.
A solid and mature sophomore album. Staying true to their their musical style with just enough exploration, achieving the sweet spot between experimentation and conformity.