djpastawater

I remembered pretty much nothing of the first time I listened to this album, so I decided to give it another shot at 11:30pm last night. It was quite jarring to listen to after the diverse, energetic, optimistic, upbeat "Saint Dominic's Preview", though rejecting those qualities completely is what makes this album so appealing, and nearly equally enjoyable.

What enraptured me most was its nuance. It is not immediately horrifying or objectively miserable. It eases you in. When I first ... read more

Here is an example of what the perfect Van Morrison album looks like. I've already commented on how through "Astral Weeks" the beautiful introspective moods he evokes can sometimes be dulled by exceptionally slow moments toward the end, while on "Moondance" though upbeat no thought feels fully explored. I was especially hopeful for this album, and on that sunny late afternoon that I gave it a shot I was not disappointed.

Even if more accessible than the others I've listened ... read more

"Cry" seems to double down on the more calm and ambient styles of their eponymous album, opting for a more lonely and minimal vibe. Even as pretty as the music is, I feel like their first's best moments were its glimpses of maximalism and hope, and even with the pretty Twin-Peaks-y atmosphere it can feel a little dreary and directionless.

That being said, it is a beautiful piece of work and very much enjoyable. It only misses the mark on a couple of moments, especially considering ... read more

Way ahead of its time. I'm still astonished it came out all the way back in 2012. I think I learned division in 2012.

Its contrasts make for some of its most interesting attributes, creating a real atmosphere of uncertainty. It feels so alone yet so busy and lively, so abrasive yet so fuzzy and reverberant, so jagged and claustrophobic yet so spacious. His ingenious use of samples which perhaps leads its futuristic feel amplifies this idea of the unknown. Songs like REMYND, SIMULATION and ... read more