During the time they were making
Rave Tapes
,
Mogwai
's flair for soundtracks was being celebrated: the band began 2013 with the release of their brilliant score for
Les Revenants
, the cryptic French TV show about the undead, and they were just about to play a series of performances of their music for
Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait
as accompaniment to the movie. All this film-related activity may have inspired
' restraint (the fact that the band had a narrow window of time in which to record the album probably contributed to it as well). For much of the album,
trades majesty for economy, focusing on a few motifs that they combine and recombine in an almost modular fashion.
Barry Burns
' bubbling, gurgling synth is chief among these elements, especially on "Simon Ferocious," where it locks in with rolling beats and knotty guitar work with a precision that stops just short of clinical. Hearing the band put together these song-puzzles offers a more cerebral kind of listening experience than
' spare, mournful dread or
Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
's rock fury; even when
turn up the volume, they remain aloof. Some of
' eeriness informs "Remurdered"'s cold-blooded electro-rock, while "Hexon Bogon" and "Master Card" coil heavy riffs upon themselves until they're about to snap. As impressive as
' rockers are, the album's heart lies in subtler tracks like "Heard About You Last Night," a dreamy prelude that makes the most of the delicacy
has excelled at since their early days. Similarly, the quietly anthemic "Blues Hour" and vocoder-driven "The Lord Is Out of Control" hark back to the muted beauty of
Mr. Beast
and
Come On Die Young
's implosive minimalism.
takes a while to hit its stride, but it delivers plenty of moments to keep fans intrigued once it does. ~ Heather Phares