Melt

Listening to the exotic, far-reaching global sounds of Young Magic, one almost wonders why more artists don’t dabble with such a large pallet. How naturally the cut-up, indigenous-sounding vocals and kids’ playground chants fit atop a kaleidoscope of gossamer synths and circling polyrhythm! How rich is the tapestry of airborne guitars, seashell-rattling, and looping West African percussion. How well-paired is the juxtaposition of glitchy electronics stuttering against glowing, electronic cooing and the crisp snap and sparkle of percussive accents. One marvel of this debut is that it features both newer and previously released tracks, recorded in far-flung places like Berlin and Iceland. Stitched together seamlessly (perhaps “Meld” would have been a stronger title), the collection paints a colorful, vibrant soundscape that satisfies as a whole. “Sanctuary” transports listeners to an Indian tableaux, sitars and handclaps circling over a chanted chorus, while tunes like “Drawing on the Moon” and “The Dancer” transport us to an unidentifiable distant place, with layer upon layer of esoteric rhythms and textures. Headphones strongly recommended.