No World

Andrew and Daniel Aged's first release for 4AD was a 2011 EP that offered three tracks of shuddering, shale-strength neo-new jack swing. On their first album, they display a deeper understanding of contemporary R&B and reduce and smooth their sound to wispy mood pieces. A handful of the songs are superbly shaped, dynamic, and somewhat muscular. "The Place" and "5 Days" are similarly churning lullabies with sharp hooks, where Inc.'s yearning aches -- otherwise vaguely suggested -- penetrate with reflections like "I know I have to try to be my best/Because that is all he ever wants." Highlight "Trust (Hell Below)" is the only instance where they approach the energy level of the EP, but even that one doesn't aspire to jam status, too casual in its swing to work up a sweat. There's some definite promise. The Aged brothers, who have worked with Raphael Saadiq and Cee Lo Green, among others, clearly know their stuff -- like they study and value it rather than pay it mere lip service -- and are not playacting. ~ Andy Kellman

チル&B界隈では待ちに待たれた兄弟デュオの初作。白いフランク・オーシャンもしくは真昼間のジェイミー・ウーンとか形容できそうな、清涼感溢れる景色を漂うファルセット・ヴォイス……なんて書くと喜ぶ甘党の心も射抜きつつ、ファレルや一流ミュージシャンたちを虜にしてきた燻し銀なベース・プレイにも耳を奪われる瞬間が多々あり。いま何を追いかけているかによって聴こえ方がけっこう違ってきそうな絶品R&B。
bounce (C)ヌーディーマン