My Bloody Valentine - mbv

About a million years after "Loveless" MBV suddenly emerged from their cryogenic dungeon to release another album (via their own website). And "mbv", as the album is imaginatively titled, starts off sounding pretty much like "Loveless" (though this changes as the album progresses). But thats no bad thing, how do you follow an icon that changed everything? More of the same? Why not, lets try.

Its a bit uneven though, some of the tracks can pass you by a bit, especially early on in the album where MBV are in Loveless 2.0 mode. "She found now" for example is fine with its low throb of noise and wispy vocals but doesn't jump out at you, maybe a little bit too similar to before. That all changes when we get to the amazing "Is this and yes" with its Stereolab-esque keyboards and space-rock tones that ease you into a retro-futurist soundscape, then when Bilinda starts to sing you are taken into another galaxy. Its wonderful it really is, maybe already the best song of the year.

"Wonder 2" is very interesting, reverse echo melody and drum and bass with a tune that could come from the best 60s LSD induced trip on top. "New you" is a great track, in some ways quite conventional (at least in MBV terms) and a lovely chilled pop tune.

"mbv" as an album is fantastic and is mysterious. The sudden return of the band after such a long hiatus surprises and delights, as does this album. It is a different world now than the early 90s but MBV are just as relevant as ever.