High Places - Original Colors

High Places return with their third album for Thrill jockey and this time they ain't messin'! H.P have been unfortunate in that their sample based, organic approach to composition has been heavily co-opted in the past couple of years evolving into the potentially profitable sound you might associate with Chillwave or one of them ridiculous sub-genre terms. Well, Mary Pearson and Rob Barber, formally NY residents now living in LA, have come to set the record straight with a more decisive, urgent release than I was expecting. Their wild-eyed naturalism and playful approach is present on 'Original Colors' and off course, the dubby spliffed out vibe is still very much in effect but this time everything sounds punchier and hi-fi. The rhythms are a little sparser which gives these new compositions room to breath and gives Pearson's voice the opportunity to take centre stage. Previously fairly mumbled and unfocused, here Pearson gives these tracks a lift with the vocal production reminiscent of soul or early 80's house, kinda cut-up and echo heavy. Totally reminds me of Sade. So, overall this is a departure in the sense that it sounds more dance-floor equipped than previous outings yet still possesses that chilled out vibe you may already associate with the duo.