Third full-length album from Florida’s Hundred Waters. Communicating was recorded during a period of intense upheavel for the band, who in the years since 2014’s The Moon Rang Like A Bell have traveled, loved, lost a band member, collaborated with Bonobo and moved into a shared living space in Los Angeles. The album was recorded in their new LA home, with Nicole Miglis and Trayer Tryon stretching out to record their respective parts in cozy isolation. Listening to Miglis’ voice, it’s hard to not be reminded of Bjork’s earthy, fragile cadence. In fact, Communicating sounds like what a Bjork record co-produced by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon might sound like, if you can imagine the singer embracing full-on pop arrangement and folk tunings. What’s most striking about Communicating is how it manages to sound equally as hopeful as it does tragic. Check out the upbeat maximalist hyper-pop of “Wave To Anchor,” the disarmingly intimate “Parade,” the sultry “Re:,” and the autotuned macabre title track. Heavy 180g vinyl pressing with printed fold-out insert and code for digital download.

• 180g vinyl pressing
• printed insert
• digital download included
• music label: Owsla 2018

reviewed by frau farbissina 01/2018