Sublime Currency

Abandoned Pools’ Tommy Walter is a sonic chameleon who comes across as both slyly sophisticated and perpetually youthful. Walter’s charm as a one-man band stems from his combination of ingenuity and innocence; his songs seem like confessions in the form of experiments. The mix of percolating techno beats and Queen-like operatic vocals in the title tune is typical of his bold production approach. The vigorous drums and harp flourishes of “Marigolds” reinforce the conflicted emotions of the song's lyrics, while “Hype Is the Enemy” pairs a tense new wave rock rhythm with a joyful chorus. As a singer, Walter can glide from a winsome tenor into a smooth falsetto without strain, embodying a sense of longing that goes beyond literal words. “Autopilot” (an elegiac ballad built on acoustic guitar and graceful strings) and “From Long Sleep” (a delicately melancholy duet with singer Paris Carney) typify his spiritually tinged outlook. Difficult to classify, Sublime Currency is easy to like with its clever surface textures and resonant undercurrents.