Ready For Heaven＜Deep Red Vinyl＞

Angel Deradoorian doesnt make boring records; each one takes her core competencies -- amazing voice, sharp-eyed lyrical acumen, highly developed musical skills -- and gives it a small twist. 2017s Eternal Recurrence was the most drastic swerve, as it did away with drums entirely. The approach of 2025s Ready for Heaven is less dramatic, yet the changes are palpable. She adds more electronics to the mix and stakes a claim on disco territory on "No No Yes Yes," but the biggest difference here is the confidence and overall strength of both the songs and her performance. It feels like her previous albums have been leading to this -- a powerfully, intense record that features her vocals at their best while also stretching out her musical muscles in new ways. Every song takes a different tack on the kind of post-punk meets tricky indie rock shes delivered in the past. "Storm in My Brain" moves like a panther, mixing high-impact dub bass with jagged guitar explosions and vocal exhortations; "Digital Gravestone" pairs thudding drums with clanging organ interjections, saxophone blares, and an intense atmosphere; and "Hell Island" slows the tempo to a menacing crawl as Deradoorians stuttering vocals and the spooky guitars intertwine. Tracks like these make up the bulk of the album, and they are near-perfect incarnations of the sound Deradoorian had been working towards previously; on their own they make the album a triumph. Added to them are songs that take some artistic leaps. "Reigning Down" is the most electronic track on the record; its heavy synths and almost industrial punch give her a chance to get a little tough vocally. The aforementioned disco-punk "No No Yes Yes" features her slinkiest vocal over some ricocheting percussion and a thumping late-night club pulse, and "Purgatory of Consciousness" is a formless ambient track that forgoes relaxation for the creeping feel of a haunted, shadow-filled apartment. All experiments are successful, and part of that is down to a certainty in the albums production that leaves no room for doubt. Deradoorian knew exactly what sounds she wanted to bring the songs fully into focus, and she gets them. Ready for Heaven is easily her best record to date; it brings all her talents together in one shimmering, emotionally charged, and musically impressive package. ~ Tim Sendra

元ダーティー・プロジェクターズのエンジェル・デラドゥーリアンが作り上げた本作は、ポップ・グループやマキシマム・ジョイといったバンドを連想させる。リズミカルなベースを強調し、ディレイとリヴァーブを多用したサウンドはダブ要素が濃い。反復ビートが心地良い中毒性を生み出す"No No Yes Yes"は極上のニューウェイヴ・ディスコだ。
bounce (C)近藤真弥