marks ' return to , 14 years after the under-appreciated , but it might as well be in name only, as nearly everything about the group has changed since then. The unit originally began as a more abstract side venture for guitarist and percussionist , then of post-rock group , back in the late '90s, and they explored a captivating middle ground between glitchy electronics, rambling acoustic folk, and jazz improvisation. Through the gradual addition (and replacement) of other musicians, they became more of a rock band, with a greater emphasis on melody and post-minimalist rhythms. Flash forward to 2018, and has remained the group's only constant member, with guitarist the only other member present on the group's previous album, 2014's Japan-only release . is a major shift for the group, as it's their first effort to include lyrics, which are mostly sung by new recruit , sometimes as a duet with . The lyrics are poetic, impressionist, and generally quite optimistic and encouraging, but not delivered in a richly expressive tone. While these aren't pop tunes, the vocals do help frame the songs, making them accessible while still maintaining a steady flow, and the average track time is down a few minutes compared to the group's previous few records. The group haven't abandoned the glitchy effects of their earlier recordings, and here they help add a bit of an otherworldly touch to the vocals and guitars. The song's rhythms are somewhere between a gentle pulse and a strong drive, and there's plenty of space left for breathing room. Overall, feels like the next step for rather than their magnum opus, but their integration of vocals feels natural, and doesn't sacrifice the free spirit of their music. ~ Paul Simpson