Atlas Sound's Logos

I've always been a big fan of solo projects. Some artists need to get ideas out that are not possible in the context of a band. A few examples from the past few years: Ben Gibbard's techno-pop Postal Service record, Thom York's brooding electronic solo record, Panda Bear's masterpiece of samples and layered vocals, and Eddie Vedder's amazingly tender folk record. None of these albums could happen as a collaborative effort of a band, and all of them were distinctive new takes on vocal talents that we thought we knew.

Deerhunter's Bradford Cox, coming off last years brilliant Microcastle, released his second solo album this year under the name Atlas Sound. Logos shares more in common with the aforementioned Panda Bear than anything Deerhunter has done. Whereas every Deerhunter song feels driving and carefully written, this album floats along in blissful uncertainty the way Person Pitch did. The opener, "The Light That Failed", is a blur of acoustic guitar, electronic flourishes, and meandering vocals that barely form a verse or chorus.

It makes perfect sense that the album's best track is a collaboration with Panda Bear. "Walkabout" is blissfully playful and childish, with two talented vocalists harmonizing over fast high-pitched synths - the chorus "what did you want to be when you grew up?" exemplifies the mood here. The albums other amazing duet is with Laetitia Sadier from Stereolab, whose voices rings over a light dance beat and a dreamy atmosphere of noise.

Every track on Logos is solid and Bradford Cox proves that between his solo work and his Deerhunter records, he stands up with the best names in modern indie music. This record is a blessing in an already generous year for great music.