HATHERTON LAKE

The songs are definitely more interesting than those recorded in 2012, more mature and engaging, without never being complex. The sound is tight, greatly helped by modern day digital time-keepers; as usual in Math Rock, there are two guitars, but is no intention to show off. Two tracks stand out: Interstellar and Damascus, they build up the atmosphere very well, are then able to surprise the listener and result in soothing and swaying melodies. As an opener, Silent City also works quite well, although keeping it simple throughout. The final tracks provide a smooth exit, without ever returning to the thrill of the earlier tracks.

In 2013 none of this was really innovative, and compared with what other emerging Math Rock bands were doing at the time, say Damascus or Valerinne, perhaps not even outstanding. However, taking the record as a whole, with all its bottoms and valleys, and its occasional genuineness, it is well worth adding to any modern Math Rock collection.