While 2015’s Eclipse signaled a new direction for the Twin Shadow project, on Caer, George Lewis Jr. has completely shed his post-punk aspirations (he used to refer to himself as the ‘black Morrissey’) in favor of a more polished sound indebted to Terius Nash (“Brace”), Kate Bush (“Runaway”) and Prince (“18 Years” has Purple Rain scrawled all over it). The pop radio crossover potential of HAIM collab “Saturdays” is undeniable - the tune has just as much turnt-up-windows-down-in-the-summertime juice as any of Springsteen or Fleetwood Mac’s biggest whoppers from the 70s. But it’s not a full departure; delicate coda “Bombs Away” reveals a glimmer of the old Twin Shadow, sporting the same detuned analog synth chords, stripped-down drum machine rhythm and breathy cadence as Forget’s eponymous closing track. Also check out “Littlest Things,” “Obvious People” and bonus cut “Sympathy,” which is included on a special edition flexidisc.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes special flexidisc containing bonus track
• gatefold sleeve
• printed insert
• limited edition
• music label: Reprise Records 2018

reviewed by big dumb man 05/2018