Critiques CD: Battles | Gloss Drop

Record number two has brought forth big changes in the land of Battles, none bigger than the loss of focal front-man Tyondai Braxton. Soldiering on as a lean three-piece, the band safely lay to waste any fears about the musical quality control they possess, blasting their way through a dozen largely instrumental, hyperkinetic tracks. Rendering their twin guitar onslaught near-unrecognizable (in a very cool way), we’re treated to bombastic chunks of groovy tropicalia-prog meets synthed-up electronic dub rock, ultimately ebbing and flowing under the powerful, beastly precision percussion of maniacal drummer John Stanier.