Young Galaxy’s shift from their early shoegaze-influenced widescreen pop to the glistening electro of their last two albums somehow felt seamless, given how well the new sound suited their musical strengths. On their fifth LP, the Montreal group (fronted by husband-and-wife duo Stephen Ramsay and Catherine McCandless) has sharpened and refined the sound they’ve been cultivating with Swedish producer Dan Lissvik (Studio). With the clear stamp of 80s electro, acid house and R&B, Falsework sits comfortably amongst current trends while transcending the tropes of the genre.
Wear Out The Ground sets the tone with its blips, bleeps and blissed-out soundscape, but it’s McCandless’s contralto that catches the ear – she’s come a long way as a vocalist, and the dancey tunes all but demand her dynamic presence. Few songs released this year match the heady synth rush of Factory Flaws, but just when you think the album is going to stay in after-hours territory, there’s the gorgeous turn of stark piano ballad We’re No Good. A little bit retro, a whole lot modern, Falsework sounds like music by robots for humans with tender hearts who want to dance the night away.
Top track: Factory Flaws
