Rating: NNNN
It’s always dangerous when a band loses a key member. That’s the situation Battles found themselves in when founding guitarist/singer Tyondai Braxton left to focus on other projects. It’s remarkable, then, that they’ve delivered a sophomore album that not only maintains their tightness but also improves on it.
The biggest change is the absence of Braxton’s pitch-shifted vocals, which were unique but not pivotal to their sound. More essential is their knack for turning skewed rhythms and instrumental experiments into groovy, head-nodding music. On Gloss Drop they make strange, heady songs that are also fun – not an easy thing to pull off.
If I have a complaint, it’s that their occasional use of guest vocalists feels like overcompensation. Battles have a fascinating, distinct sound of their own they don’t need Gary Numan crooning overtop.
Top track: Futura
