City of Brides

City of Brides is the third full-length collaboration between Maxwell August Croy (who co-runs the excellent Root Strata label along with Jefre Cantu-Ledesma) and James Devane under the name En. As with their previous recordings, this is a gorgeous, entrancing collection of melodic drones that incorporate acoustic instruments as well as electronic processing. The album was issued by Alex Cobb's Students of Decay imprint, and like their labelmate Kyle Bobby Dunn, En have a knack for humorous song titles ("Songs for Diminished Lovemaking," "Awkward Paws") that prevent their work from seeming too serious or bleak. Their compositions are full of bright, open melodies that rise up and swirl around, welcoming the listener. They also don't shy away from the occasional glitchy layer of distortion, keeping things from sounding too light and cuddly. Croy and Devane are at their best on the longer pieces, which afford them more time to stretch out and resonate. All of their recordings are magnificent and serene, but this double LP is their grandest statement yet. ~ Paul Simpson