Deerhunter – Monomania

Having operated amongst a mire of genres within their self-proclaimed ‘ambient punk’ label, fans of Atlanta quintet Deerhunter should hold no truck with the direction sixth album Monomania takes. After the soporific and nostalgic tone of 2010’s Halcyon Digest, it stands as something of a wake-up call, full of scuzzy garage riffs and heavily treated, lo-fi vocals.

As such, it can feel a tad regressive at times, particularly on the initial attention grabbing cuts like Leather Jacket or the bluesy stomp of Pensacola. However, it’s the more gradual moments that shine, whether on the flowering lament of Sleepwalking or the stealth-pop jangle of Back To The Middle.

Eventually such highs will likely eclipse any minor misgivings, leaving a somewhat measured and uncharacteristically consistent work. It’s no clean kill shot for sure, but Deerhunter still possess the power to stun. [Darren Carle]