Judging by the tonal shift of 2019's
Emergent Slow Arcs
, a change seemed imminent for
Modern Studies
. A collaboration with sound designer
Tommy Perman
, that album served as a companion piece to the Scottish indie quartet's superb second outing,
Welcome Strangers
, by recasting their exultant chamber folk songs into ambient instrumental echoes. Toning down both their folk roots and orchestral ambitions,
' third set,
Weight of the Sun
, fuses a gentle rock mystique with burbling synth flourishes and a touch of light psychedelia. That the band originally coalesced around an antique harmonium and other eclectic folk instrumentation makes their journey toward a more common rock format somewhat ironic, though, as on each of their releases, they bring something special to the table. Opener "Photograph" sets a dreamy tone as co-frontpeople
Emily Scott
(vocals, keys) and
Rob St. John
(vocals, guitar) weave their peculiar tandem vocals around a slow-building wash of electric guitars, synths, and a warm rhythmic pulse. A moody midnight aura imbues highlight "Run for Cover" with its soft rock groove and shimmering psych adornments. Shape-shifting strings wind in and out of the tumultuous "Back to the City," later adding sunlit warmth to closer "Shape of Light." Contemplative and anxious hues color much of the record, which seems to live within the push and pull of earthbound concerns and misty swirls. From the outset,
feels less immediately accessible than
' two previous albums and suffers a bit from its mid-tempo lull and more contemporary palette. Given some time to decant, however, it reveals hidden depths and more interesting layers than are at first apparent. ~ Timothy Monger