Asobi Seksu - Fluorescence

Asobi Seksu are back, which could mean just about anything. The NY duo are now five studio albums in and have still not decided if they want to rock out or not. Perhaps this lack of direction is owing to their effervescence - the layers of keyboards, feedback and girl/boy vocals fizz and threaten to bubble over but never quite come to the boil. Their amalgamation of different production styles has also divided things further. Since their eponymous debut way back in 2004 they have drawn comparisons with everyone from Cocteau Twins to My Bloody Valentine to Belle & Sebastian.

The tendency of late to muddle through LPs with a smattering of crafted songs has not gone unobserved, in particular 2009’s ‘Hush’. Here they swapped the nubile and playful grooves of ‘Citrus’ for a lighter and brittle pop sound, which though pretty at times, seemed an awkward exchange for their previously raw appeal. It wasn’t until ‘Hush’ got out of the starting gate, and the crescendos began to mount up like towering skyscrapers, that they seemed more assured.

‘Fluorescence’ picks up an almost identical trail followed by ‘Hush’, in so far as it begins by trading on cute keyboard pop. Opener ‘Coming Up’ is overpowered by bubble n squeak vocals; Yuki Chikudate at her most self-aware and kitsch. ‘My Baby’ repeats this sentiment but in a clunkier fashion, and there is a creeping suspicion that Asobi Seksu have lost their footing.

However, when they begin to marry the sweet melodies and swooning guitars, like on ‘Perfectly Crystal,’ or ‘Counterglow,’ no one can touch them. Steadily, ‘Fluorescence’ begins to unravel from its own awkward posturing and then Asobi Seksu are off into their dreamy, halcyon universe.

The songs on the latter half of the album remain for the most part floating, far-off things, obscured in textures of sound. On occasion, like the sudden marching drumbeats of ‘Leave The Drummer Out There,’ they morph into something transcendental and confident. A glimpse of how they could be if they grasped a single idea, rather than clutching at a dozen.

‘Fluorescence’ is an album that rewards the patient amongst us. It may begin shakily but there is plenty here to praise. Asobi Seksu may still not quite know their destination but the ride is interesting enough.