Asobi Seksu take another step away from their shoegaze influences. On their fifth album (fourth if you skip the prior album of acoustic reworkings), the wall of distortion is minimized and Yuki Chikudate's vocals are pushed to the forefront to be left wavering in the wind. Her voice previously sounded sweet and gentle when buried in guitar swirl. Up close and personal, it can be dodgy, especially when she aims at shrill high notes and skates around them. This style of singing, matched with the softer, glossier, '90s-sounding production of Chris Zane (Tokyo Police Club, the Walkmen), makes the material more in tune with the Cranberries than My Bloody Valentine. Fans of the early dream pop stuff may have difficulties accepting a cleaner, more synthesized pop approach.
Condition: Brand New Factory Sealed
TRACK LISTING
1 Coming Up 4:06
2 Trails 4:01
3 My Baby 3:40
4 Perfectly Crystal 3:52
5 In My Head 2:59
6 Leave the Drummer Out There 6:45
7 Sighs 3:53
8 Deep Weird Sleep 2:01
9 Counterglow 4:12
10 Ocean 4:12
11 Trance Out 2:46
12 Pink Light 4:29
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