On their third-full length effort (and second for Warp), Mount Kimbie move even further away from the post-dubstep pastiche of their modern classic Hotflush debut Crooks & Lovers and turn in 11 tracks of analog-hazed electronic pop deeply steeped in post-punk and new wave. Where Crooks & Lovers sounded like two guys disillusioned with dubstep literally throwing sounds against the wall, scraping them back off and committing them to tape, Love What Survives really glues, and it seems the duo have fully distilled their sound since stepping it up big-time on Cold Spring Fault Less Youth. Trading the future garage swing of their early records for a no-bullshit, straight-laced motorik groove banged out on the SP-1200, Korg DDD-1 and SoundMaster Stix 305 drum machines, Kai Campos and Dom Maker channel post-rock atmosphere, primitive sampler experiments and Peter Hook’s lead basslines to forge a sound that is urban, dark, but cozy as a cup of tea on your nan’s sofa. Kai Campos steps up to the mic to provide vocals for a handful of tracks, with guest appearances courtesy of Mica Levi aka Micachu (“Marilyn”), fresh off an Oscar-nominated film score, and Andrea Balency, who chats free-spiritedly over “You Look Certain,” conjuring the psych pop bliss of Stereolab and Broadcast. Elsewhere, King Krule sounds all grown up screaming and hollaring on “Blue Train Lines,” and old mate James Blake (who, don’t forget, was at one time a fully-fledged member of the band before he blew up as a solo musician) turns in two collaborations (“We Go Home Together” and “How We Got By”), and we guarantee you’ve never heard him this unrestrained, in full-blown Nina Simone mode. One of the most disarming records we’ve heard this year, be sure to check out “Delta,” “Marilyn,” “SP12 Beat” and “We Go Home Together.” Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• housed in gatefold jacket w/ printed inner sleeves
• digital download included
• music label: Warp Records 2017

reviewed by peanut dust 09/2017

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