Review:
If you are new to the Grimes sound, there is the immediate shock of Claire Boucher's vocal range, with the shrillest falsetto used as an additional instrumental tool. It's more fun to regard her vocals as such - trying to decipher the lyrics shifts the focus from what is musically a constant joy. Regardless, any sense of shock should subside as the fuzzy edged beginnings of "Genesis" float over your senses, the moment the skipping beat arrives confirming the track to be one of this year's most immediately gratifying and shamelessly hypnotic pop moments. 4AD list an impressive array of artists and genres that inform the sounds on Visions, with everything from Richard D James to K Pop mentioned. However there are never any real moments where such influences seem overtly apparent; instead the music on offer demonstrates Boucher has matured into a talented producer with an eye for the intricate details which discern the Grimes sound. "Oblivion" for example plays out how this writer wishes Nite Jewel sounded these days, with Boucher's outer atmospheric vocal sticking to the gloopy arpeggio and playground beats at the track's core, which is gradually complemented by added textures. The recently aired video for this track only adds credence to the idea Grimes is in this for the right reasons - she's talented and likes to have fun making music. One of our favourite albums of the year so far - highly recommended.