Menomena – Moms

Menomena's fifth album follows the departure of co-founder Brent Knopf from the Portland outfit; commendable, then, that remaining members Justin Harris and Danny Seim have succeeded in retaining the familiar cut-and--paste charm found on past releases so effectively. Plumage is distinct from the get-go, containing all the vital ingredients of minimalist synths and bass, accompanied by solitary guitar stabs and twinkly piano notes.

 

The devastating tone of 2010's Mines is driven into even darker realms (especially lyrically; Pique's mantra is “I'm a failure / cursed with male genitalia”), and there's more of a sinister, disquieting streak that runs throughout the record. They might rock a lot harder too, but this is not to say that the duo have opted for an uncompromising approach: Moms also heralds some of their most infectious material to date. A hopeful new chapter for one of modern indie rock's more absorbing propositions.