The Softest Glow

Building on the more rhythmic, less sustained sound they debuted on their 2009 EP, We Animals, Monogold expand instrumentation while establishing a consistent voice on their full-length follow-up, The Softest Glow. The album includes nine new tunes plus three tracks from the EP (arguably the three best), including the ace psychedelic indie pop charmer, "Dead Sea Minerals." Percussive attacks on all instruments, rhythmic and harmonic layers, and Keith Kelly's seductive falsetto are still in play, but they add diversity within the percussion (all three members are credited with percussion on this one), on keyboards and effects, and in contrasting tracks. For instance, "Whippoorwill" is all high end with only vocals, vibraphone, and Mellotron flute-sounding keys. "Wind or Hymn" brings higher-pitched drums and rims to the layers of guitars, bass, keyboards, drum kit, and vocals for a dense, broad texture. Alternately, the instrumental "I Accidentally Conjured Up a Ghost...Look!" is simply strummed guitar with isolated murmured effects. The more representative "2s or 4s" combines 1980s jangle with 2010s reverb and adds some weirdness via structure for an effective blend of early U2 and Animal Collective. The bulk of the album is bold and rhythmic from top to bottom, with some slow builds that are still rhythmic and active — driving, lush groove-iness. As in the past, Keith Kelly's lyrics often get lost in reverb, but his falsetto is a key component for its distinctiveness and breadth of sound. On the whole, The Softest Glow is Monogold's most experimental album to date while retaining a loose, feel-good tone. Three records in, the album serves as a good starting point for those unfamiliar with the band and an exciting blossoming for fans.