Asobi Seksu - Fluorescence

Although I wasn't a huge fan of their 2009 album, Hush, Asobi Seksu forever captured my love and attention with their 2006 sophomore album, Citrus. Continuing their trend of naming their albums after one word, their fourth album, Fluorescence, is due out in on February 15, 2011. The first thing that longtime fans will notice on Fluorescence is the amount of synths that Asobi Seksu have chosen to utilize instead of their signature shoegaze riffs. Thankfully, the synths don't turn this album into a dancey affair, but rather they combine perfectly with singer/keyboardist Yuki Chikudate's voice, giving these twelve songs an eerie Cocteau Twins-esque vibe instead. The synths also lend themselves to make Chikudate and the rest of the band more playful sounding than they ever have been in the past, using cheeky lyrics ("My baby doesn't love me anymore") and nursery rhyme-esque percussion on "My Baby." Perhaps Polyvinyl has brought out their twee side more. Either way, the slight departure in Asobi Seksu's sound may take a few listens to get used to, but it's worth your time to do so.

DOWNLOAD: Asobi Seksu - Fluorescence [Polyvinyl]
Recommended Tracks: "Coming Up," "Perfectly Crystal," "Trance Out," "Pink Light."