On Dilate, Vessels show off their flair for different kinds of musical peaks, whether they're dance music's ecstatic highs or post-rock's majestic climaxes. Bridging the gap between these styles is nothing new for the band, but they do it more seamlessly than ever before. On songs such as the nearly nine-minute-long "Elliptic," an aptly named journey through a gently orbiting melody and percussion that morphs from electronic to live drums, Dilate traces wide-ranging arcs that are subtly propulsive, suggesting a less showy Fuck Buttons. Elsewhere, "Attica" moves from a heavy, four-on-the-floor beat to towering arpeggios that recall Mogwai's synth-driven side. Vessels get even more creative with "On Monos," where disco-house and dream pop combine into alien dance music, and "As You Are," a trip-hop-influenced outlier that's a little less intricate and more intimate than the rest of Dilate. Throughout the album, Vessels' different approaches flow so naturally that they feel effortless, arriving at an impressive blend of passion and precision.
© Heather Phares /TiVo