Shadow Forms＜Colored Vinyl＞

Arizona-based group Trees Speaks second release of 2020 is more focused and concise than previous album Ohms or their sprawling 2017 debut. While maintaining the cinematic qualities that made their work so alluring, Shadow Forms is far less fragmentary, and the individual tracks seem more fleshed out. Large Array is a glimmering five-minute opening scene consisting of swift yet spacy synth arpeggios that lifts spirits and builds anticipation for whats to come. From there, the group construct tracks that explore styles ranging from Spaghetti Western scores to no wave without seeming like a pastiche. Tear Kisser is a tantalizing bit of spy jazz exotica with Mellotrons and tinges of fuzz guitar, later becoming permeated by dub effects and snaking trumpets. Those Who Know has a pure motorik rhythm, but with guitars that seem informed by both surf rock and suspenseful horror soundtracks. The spooky oscillations of False Ego would feel entirely at home on a Ghost Box release, and the scrambled transmissions, worn-out tape reels, and crisp acoustic guitar melodies of Communication similarly produce an effect thats both haunting and warmly nostalgic. The album surprisingly gets darker the deeper it goes, from the ominous waves and possessed operatic vocals of Agonize Signal to the prowling pulsations and swarming horns of Magick Knives. Mini-epic Shadow Forms concludes the record, starting out with a dazzling drift of synths before dissolving into wayward horns, and then becoming carried away by hard, industrial-esque sequencers. Seemingly less based in improvisation than Trees Speaks first two albums, Shadow Forms feels like a definite step up for the band. ~ Paul Simpson