GLOSS DROP

New Battles? New Battles!! As soon as I heard a new Battles album was coming out, I pre- ordered it on vinyl. I remember when I got it. It was June 5th (not so long ago), a day before it officialy came out. I was so psyched I got it before the rest of the world. So I put it on my old school turntable, sat down, and listened. It was the best thing I had heard this year!

Africastle begins with some guitar chords delayed, and pumping bass. After a few bars, there comes a weird synth riff thats on the off beat. That's when I realized that this was the sound for the album. Then, when the riff comes in and the drums come in, I feel at home. John Stanier brings back the Mirrored days to this synth minefield.

It took me a few listens to understand how great this album is. After a while, I fell in love. Loop- heaven Futura is the best track on the album. Ian Williams playing with his loops on Ableton and then John entering with his killer drum beats that sound just like Tonto just create a new sound that people have never heard in this edge of town.

This album doesn't have "Atlas"-like catchy moments, but songs like Ice Cream, featuring Matias Aguayo, have you singing them in the shower just the day you listened to them.

This will be a short review, since I don't have much to say, but Battles' Gloss Drop is almost as good as their previous and deserves much more recognition. 4/5