Kazuashita

AlbumJun 22 / 201810 songs, 42m 21s
Neo-Psychedelia Indietronica Ambient Pop
Popular

*Kazuashita* largely follows the trajectory that Gang Gang Dance have been on since 2008\'s *Saint Dymphna*, with the experimental New York group continuing to trade their more organic, improvisational style for one more electronic, sleek, and polished. Still present are the omnivorous combinations of world beats (\"Snake Dub\") with singer Lizzi Bougatsos\' ethereal vocals (\"Young Boy \[Marika in Amerika\]\"). But here, on their first album since 2011\'s *Eye Contact*, the rougher edges of past releases are smoothed out, incorporating the breeziness of Balearic beat on \"J-TREE\" and \"Too Much, Too Soon,\" while lead single \"Lotus\" floats over sheer, delicate textures that recall fellow 4AD band Cocteau Twins.

72

7.7 / 10

On their first album in seven years, the New York fusionists tap into a welter of global styles; the result is soft-edged and idyllic, yet hides a subtle political undercurrent.

D+

Bad Witch is a thin, if rewarding, listen from Nine Inch Nails; while Kamasi Washington’s cinematic soul-jazz is more ambitious than ever on the awe-inspiring Heaven And Earth; and Gang Gang Dance turn in a somewhat too-impeccable sixth LP with Kazuashita. These, plus Martyn and The Orb in this week’s notable new…

It’s nice to welcome these sonic explorers back.

Engaging and magical throughout.

Following 2011's widely lauded Eye Contact, Gang Gang Dance largely disappeared as the bandmembers pursued solo projects -- Brian DeGraw's 2013 album as bEEdEEgEE, SUM/ONE, was the most prominent -- and just lived their lives.

8 / 10

There are not a lot of voices quite like that of Lizzi Bougatsos. One moment it's a tender lilt, the next an otherworldly howl; her voice ha...

7 / 10

Gang Gang Dance's lengthy hiatus was unexpected for a band that seemed unstoppable, especially since the release of their subliminal 2007 'Saint

(4AD)

9 / 10

In 2011 Gang Gang Dance released their seminal work Eye Contact. Their debut for 4AD was the pinnacle of the band's vision

7.5 / 10

'KAZUASHITA' by Gang Gang Dance album review, by Dave Macintyre. The full-length comes out on June 22nd via 4AD. The single "J-Tree" is now available to stream.

Loose guitars and soft synths conjure moody pop on Gang Gang Dance’s long-awaited new album, but is it progressive or pacifying?

65 %

Gang Gang Dance tunes to more radical forms to let the new music echo the current cultural climate.

Album Reviews: Gang Gang Dance - Kazuashita