If one thing can be said about Album Leaf main man Jimmy Lavalle it’s that he’s consistent. For the last twenty years the multi-instrumentalist has confidently weaved together calmative noise for both music and film with new release ‘Between Waves’ not seeing much deviation from the old formula. While some releases have proved more effective than others, work such as ‘In A Safe Place’ (featuring the majority of Sigor Rós) and 2006’s ‘Into the Blue Again’ still stand as fine examples of noughties ambience. The question is how does a hefty six-year gap tween albums and a new lineup propel this new chapter?
While before strings had whined, things plonked and astral keys fluttered over everything to help wash away you anxiety like an audio enema, the groups sixth release boasts more vibrancy and more electronics. That’s not to say the record is throwing out the glow sticks, it’s most certainly still an Album Leaf release, but LaValle has wisely tried to update his brand of electronica. If he succeeds however is another kettle of fish.
Bar the odd dash of signature spectral piano there’s nothing here that differentiates the material from anything a bookish bedroom producer in Whitby is probably producing. Not that we’re suggestion a lack of professionalism, far from it, but punchy drum beats that are gradually smothered by layer upon of melody is something we’ve seen before and something that’s been highly imitated in recent years. It’s when Lavalle actually goes for a more devil may care attitude that the tracks really shine. Standout number ‘Glimmering Lights’ boasts great 8-Bit charm and some brilliantly timed minimal guitar work that builds to positively post-rock finale.
Elsewhere ‘Never Far’ is straight Thom Yorke glitch groove and manages to update the bands sound nicely, whilst the cinematic ‘Lost in The Fog’ also proves a winner, the Californian’s film work bleeding into its DNA. ‘Between Waves’ is an album created by a man who knows what he’s doing; and that’s the problem. He could create satisfactory albums till the end of days, but he’ll need to rip up the rulebook if he’s to grab people’s attention in this fickle age.
6/10
Words: Sam Walker-Smart
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