Music Review

Fluorescence

Album | Asobi Seksu
By Chris Payne

NYC duo returns to shoegazey form.

Just when it seemed like Asobi Seksu were trying to rid themselves of their long-held shoegaze tag, the endearing New York duo have returned to their My Bloody Valentine influence with a vengeance, breaking away from 2009's dreamy, subdued Hush while simultaneously avoiding a simple rehash of their 2004 breakout Citrus. For those still clinging fondly to their Ride and Lush albums, there are still plenty of discordant time changes and walls of guitar to be found, especially with longtime producer Chris Zane (Passion Pit, Les Savy Fav) manning the boards. But Asobi Seksu's fourth album overall succeeds in being the group's most triumphant pop statement to date. The elegant single "Trails" sets the bar high, as Chikudate resounds over James Hanna's dissonant guitar work with more authority than ever. "Sighs" chimes along like a Pains of Being Pure at Heart single, while the Primitives-like chirpy pop of "Trance Out" clocks in at under three minutes and updates the duo's chipper early sound with an elegant sonic sheen. With song titles like "Perfectly Crystal" and "Deep Weird Sleep," Fluorescence certainly comes as advertised.

TAGS: Dream pop, Duos, Female Vocalists, Indie Rock, New York, Shoegaze,

FACTS: Released: February 15, 2011 (Polyvinyl Records); Duration: 51:59

Trails