Doldrums - Lesser Evil

‘Experimental’ is a word that gets lugged around a lot. And annoyingly, it can distract listeners from forming an actual opinion on an artist, because rather focusing on the work in question, you’re instead using descriptions like ‘wacky’ and ‘…meets Aphex Twin’. It’s also how Airick Woodhead, aka Doldrums, has been widely characterised over the past couple of years, but there’s fire beneath the smoke: the former guitarist / vocalist of Toronto indie pop band Spiral Beach has ventured down the Ontario 401 express to Montreal, where he’s become BFFs with Grimes and started to, well, experiment.

From the woozy ‘Intro’ to the fading dream pop nature of ‘Painted Black’, ‘Lesser Evil’ is relentless in its attempts to make you dance. The range here is delicious. The chaotic mess of ‘She Is The Wave’ and the slow beat of the disjointed ‘Golden Calf’ have never sounded so harmonious. It’s a record that keeps on giving; even when you think it’s finally running out of steam it serves up ‘Live Forever’ and Noel Gallagher is tossing and turning at night. ‘Lost In Everyone’ sounds like a lo-fi remix of his own work, while soaring lead single ‘Anomaly’ flexes Airick’s pop muscles. And my, how his biceps are bulging.

In the wider picture, this may not make the impressive strides ‘Visions’ or Purity Ring’s ‘Shrines’ did, but there’s every chance ‘Lesser Evil’ can find an audience to smother it in all the affection it deserves.

‘Experimental’, you say? This experiment has been an astounding success.