It’s been a few years since we last heard from Anika. After the one two punch of 2010’s and 2013’s eponymous releases that saw her collaborating with Geoff Barrow’s Beak> we’ve been hungry for more. Exploded View gives us that and more. Born out of rehearsals for her 2014 solo shows in Mexico, the band developed a sound that took a few steps away from her previous releases. The band – made up of Martin Thulin, Hugo Quezada and Amon Melgarejo – abandoned the krautrock of the Beak> releases and turned towards post-punk, new wave, goth and industrial for inspiration. Many of the songs are taught with tension, seemingly about to explode from the tape they were recorded on. Perhaps that is due to these being single takes, with every impulse of the musicians laid bare. That it does not all fall apart is impressive enough in and of itself. However, it’s in the subtler moments that Exploded View really shines. “Lark Descending” feels like a lost Psychic TV recording with its brooding, dissonant chords and Anika’s monotone vocals. And the album’s closer “Killjoy” feels as if it has been excavated from the dregs of a Dusty Springfield session. Eleven tracks in all. Released by Sacred Bones Records on black vinyl with a digital download code.

• digital download included
• music label: Sacred Bones Records 2016

reviewed by wander lost 11/2016