Drifting in on a heavenly cloud, Irish singer/songwriter
Talos expands his scope with sophomore effort
Far Out Dust. Evoking the intergalactic star-stuff of the album's title, he makes a shift from the insular soundscapes of his 2017 debut to grand cinematic atmospherics, centered on his signature falsetto, yearning vocal delivery, and rapturous electronic production. Joined by frequent collaborator Ross Dowling and a select team of producers that have worked with kindred acts such as
Sigur Rós,
Wet, and
Björk,
Talos transports with delicate yet swelling power, recalling both
James Blake and
M83. Opener "Boy Was I Wrong" deceptively twinkles to life in a manner that
Wild Alee fans will recognize. However, within a minute, the album bursts apart with overwhelming power, setting the tone for the continuation of the sonic journey. While
Talos occasionally dips back into wounded,
Bon Iver-esque territory,
Far Out Dust maintains its upward trajectory on swelling highlights such as "The Light Upon Us," "See Me," and "Let Go." Even the more patient moments -- ones that build to a crescendo like "On and On" and the title track -- maintain the album's momentum. While its impact is not as immediate as the content demands, once
Far Out Dust fully envelops with its beauty, it's a fully transportive experience. ~ Neil Z. Yeung