Stereolab’s singer Laetitia Sadier is in a really good place on this album. She spent more time recording ‘Something Shines’, and it shows in the beautiful arrangements that complement the slightly quirky electronics that she brings with her from the Lab. Sadier, of course, has an instantly recognisable voice, and once again moves between English and French here, teasing out some lovely lower notes but also sounding heartfelt and wistful by turn. Her arrangements have always been colourful and imaginative but here get some lovely beats to go with them. ‘Release From The Centre Of Your Heart’ is a lovely song, and ‘Then I Will Love You Again’ is also beautifully sung. On the flip side is ‘Oscuridad’, a meaningful song where Sadier asks the question ‘do the rich need the poor to be rich?’ Proof right there that her song writing has reached a high level of confidence where she feels able to ask meaningful things of her audience. On the evidence of this, the answers will definitely be positive!
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
