Jape
This Chemical Sea
[Faction Records]
Without wanting to hang an albatross around the neck of Jape’s fourth record by way of comparison, the manner in which This Chemical Sea discards guitars for synths and indulges in dancefloor-ready existentialism calls to mind Caribou’s 2010 touchstone Swim (Metamorphosis especially channels Sun’s chanted opening). Not a bad reference point, particularly as this record steamrolls through with hook-filled jam after hook-filled jam (in the first half in particular), with Absolutely Animals and Without Life In The Way best representing the kind of wise-behind-the-eyes fun of this excellent addition to the Egan oeuvre.
Words: Ian Lamont
