Australian quintet
Tangents continue to display their "post-everything" approach to improvisation on their third full-length,
New Bodies, which follows the adventurous yet accessible 2016 release Stateless. As they did on that album, here the group construct smoothly flowing pieces, heavy on skittering drums and lush textures produced by vibraphone, cello, guitars, and other instruments. Even with obvious studio effects such as reversed notes and choppy, processed drums, the songs sound natural, seamlessly fusing technology with human energy. The seven selections are generally on the lengthy side, and they take their time to unwind and gradually introduce new elements. Halfway through "Lake George," the rhythm switches from languid dub to frenetic drum'n'bass, only to dramatically slow down a few minutes later. "Terracotta" starts out with softly simmering drums over a jazz-house bassline, eventually boiling up into a rich, heady brew with the help of a landscape of psychedelic guitars and Rhodes keyboards. "Immersion" is the album's darkest moment, an unbound tonal cloud of panned drums and splashing cymbals which swell up along with nebulous strings and bass. Much more light and playful is "Swells Under Tito," which rides a complex but easygoing rhythm consisting of strong yet gently skipping beats and an involved cello line. Closing number "Oort Cloud" is a relaxing comedown, with soft glitches scattered around drifting synths, a lightly dancing bassline, and twinkling pianos, along with subtly reversed guitars. Like Stateless,
New Bodies is vibrant and refreshing, brimming with ideas but never seeming overwrought, and challenging without being too esoteric or off-putting. ~ Paul Simpson