Asobi Seksu - Hush

Hush is third studio album by the NY-based shoegaze group Asobi Seksu (japanese for "casual sex"). The first two albums were more in the vein of MBV styled noisy guitar pop. Then the band shrunk to a duo - Japanese chanteuse Yuki Chikudate and guitarist James Hanna - and grew sick of guitar noise. New album is more centered on atmosphere and melody. The result is more similar to Cocteau Twins, despite how much the critics can see Asobi as the new MBV. For those who regard all neo-gaze bands as mere copies of original shoegazers, Hush won't convince them. Otherwise it is a fine atmospheric dream pop. Softer approach pays off, considering how quickly the possibilities of making noise become exhausted. This new album is certainly less guitar-centric, showcasing instead the tasteful layers of synthesizer. Hush may not be a genuine masterpiece, but it's certainly more masterful than, say Pia Fraus.

Tim Hecker - An Imaginary Country

Tim Hecker is an ambient composer from Montreal, Canada and An Imaginary Country is his sixth studio album. Arguably one of his more accessible albums, this one's nonetheless a good indicator how to compose ambient-music that is more than a dull wall paper, something that absorbs the listener. Like Fennesz, one can detect the integration of noisy surface and melodic undercurrents. Unlike him, Hecker does not submerge the melodic elements under the noise, but allows the white noise to float above them, like nebula. The listener perceives the textures created by mellotrons, synthesizers and occasionally guitar and piano as well, as nebulous and hazy. The result bears some affinity to what shoegazers have achieved, but firmly in ambient vein. The album opener "100 Years Ago" and the album closer "200 Years Ago" contain a theme based on dramatic and memorable mellotron line that gives the album a bookend effect. Between the bookends there are ten more compositions that are good examples of the best sort of ambient-noise music.

BF - Klob

Estonian fusion band BF has taken an ambitious approach on their new album Klob: to combine studio and live recordings as well as composed and improvised materials into a complex avant-rock work. The results are mixed. Weakest spots come across as random noodling, confirming the notion that free-improv is difficult to do well. Another matter is composed material. Particularly successful are the two compositions with brass section: "Jaanalind Diana" bears affinity to Phlox' "Rebimine+Voltimine" album thanks to that band's reedman Kalle Klein's soprano saxophone lines (intertwined with trombone). The horn theme of "Vapper Tinasõdur" is simply gorgeous.

While the improvised material is anything but easy listening, there are moments. For example, the intensity during the beginning of "Korrektor" that resembles Fred Frith's avant-rock power trio Massacre. Or the chaotic trombone and backward sounds during "Kadunud Päev". Klob may not be a masterpiece, but it's often an intriguing record. And its cover artwork is superb.

Baikonour - Your Ear Knows Future

Baikonour is Frenchman Jean-Emmanuel Krieger residing in Brighton, England. He has been compared to Air, the most famous French indietronic act, but it's rather misleading. Contrasting the mellow-sounding naivete of Air, Baikonour refers to psychedelic kraut-rock instead. There may be slight similarities to be found with Fujiya & Miyagi (their drummer actually plays on this album too).

In terms of neo-krautrock Baikonour is definitely more masterful than many other performers in that idiom. The fusion of ambient, prog, indie and psych comes across naturally and there are several good tunes to be found, particularly on the second half. If there is something to criticize, then it is that the listener may get the feeling of oft-traversed territory. Baikonour certainly has potential, but more distinctiveness may be required to truly stand out. Who likes Your Ear Knows Future, should also check out this one man band's debut For the Lonely Hearts of Cosmos, which is even better.