The follow-up to Introduction, Presence (2020), the Brooklyn trio continue in very likeable new wave synth vein, but dipping more into style of the 70s pioneers such as Kraftwerk and Neu! as well as early Human League and that late-70s Sheffield scene. On opener In Manhattan, Ian Richard Devaney’s deep voice has echoes as much of Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields in a stripped back form alongside the classic arpeggiator, while Across The Fine Line merges Kraftwerk synths with a a krautrock bass thrum and something of a much later sound in the soaring vocals – that of the Beta Band. Wounds of Love is also very much of the old school, with a touch of OMD, while Whatever You Want has echoes of early Depeche Mode. Other standouts include The Grey Commute, This Fractured Mind, a joyous single which blips and trips along like a Kraftwerk train, and Former Self. Wonderfully nostalgic and derogative, and yet also feeling upbeat and fresh. A way forward? Well yes, but by going back. Out on Play It Again Sam.
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