With gentle washes of pastel shades and the occasional sweep of vibrant Impressionist colour and energy, this Brooklyn experimental quartet's collection of 10 songs feels like a series of aural paintings that also makes pit-stops in jerky white-funk minimalism (Make Up Your Mind) and folk primitivism (I Believe in Action sounds like a sophisticated, cool-kids big city take on West African pop).
Previously HWGM albums have explored ambience and electronic folkadelic styles; while those elements are evident here (Eno-like ambience on the dreamy Over the Ocean and Miracle of Mary, folkadelics on the beguilingly simple Hard to be Close), they are pulled together in an effortless amalgam which is quietly seductive as it delivers more light than shade, and isn't ashamed to serve up moody pop balladry on Alone But Moving.
Given polish and space by Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, this lacks bite and a knockout punch but is possessed of its own understated charms. Pop is the winner and in Made to be Old they write their own critique to be used against them: "I know I haven't a new thing to say, but the words come easy, then fade away". This sounds like their bid for the mainstream.
Stars: 3.5/5
Verdict: Walking a tightrope across indie waters, balanced by folk electronica.
- TimeOut / elsewhere.co.nz
