Along with a typically diverse band of collaborators, Albarn dips into Krautrock, funk, and dubstep, as well as the weary, more melodic music he's been perfecting for much of last decade-- sort of an electronic take on baroque pop. Albarn also sounds more comfortable as a leader here than he has in some time. On the standout "On Melancholy Hill", he recalls the swooning strains of one of his heroes, Scott Walker. And when he shares or cedes vocals, he has the good sense to turn things over to luminaries like Lou Reed (magnificently dry-throated on "Some Kind of Nature") and Bobby Womack (good on first single "Stylo", better on the twangy "Cloud of Unknowing"), while effortlessly integrating them into the sound.Standout tracks (no particular order):
Sweepstakes (feat. Mos Def)
On Melancholy Hill
Glitter Freeze
Rhinestone Eyes
Stylo is another I like.
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