Lite - Installation

Already well-known in math rock circles thanks to the stunning video for ‘Bond’, LITE’s fourth album ‘Installation’ is now getting a UK release via Blood and Biscuits, the home of Three Trapped Tigers and Tall Ships, welcome news for those that were unable to source a copy from their native Japan.

‘Bond’ as well as ‘Hunger’ have a heavy math feel that’s instantly familiar from the band’s earlier albums. The more eclectic moments however, like gauzy electronica ‘Between Us’ and pulsing ‘Subaru’ are wonderfully executed, and make the album a considerably easier listen than some art or math records that fall into the trap of repetition or genre cliche.

The other side of the album comes in the form of cuts like jazz-inflected ‘Fog Up’ and post-rocky ‘Alter Ego’; they’re still broadly within the math canon, but feel a bit lighter and more saccharine than the wholly guitar tracks. Perhaps some will begrudge LITE these forays from the well-trodden math-rock path, but it’s just this eclecticism that gives the album its staying power.

Repeat listens bring out further layers, textures and counterpoints; although it appears simple at first, it’s actually nefariously intricate in terms of composition as well as technically brilliant. Though it’s arguable as to whether ‘Installation’ represents LITE’s best work, as the result of a band continuing to challenge and push themselves, it’s fantastic.