GLASS KITES II

For me, this is a pretty good start to 2021 although not quite a 5 star one. I'd imagine people's rating will depend heavily on their thoughts on the mixing. When drums are involved they are pretty dominant, but what it leads to in combination with the synths is a fast-paced but simultaneously calming album. It's quite ambient/post-rock in parts, and where there are vocals they are really just part of the overall mix - possibly needing bumping up but that might be the vibe they were going for. Can see this getting mixed reviews with some seeing the majority of the album as a little bland - I'd call it atmospheric - despite the fast pace. At over 10 minutes, the final track is by far the best, and covers a third of what is a short album. Wouldn't say there's any major highlights in what preceeds it, other than the start of Ideologue sounding very much like a Tubular Bells tribute, but I would still give it 4 stars on the basis that I'd happily have it on repeat as 'easy listening'.