Atoi
Waves of past relations
Fake Diamond

Now on their second full-length, Danish quartet Atoi have built upon the success of debut "Youth machine" and created an album of electropop elegance that spans over three decades of the genre. Musical references to the likes of Gary Numan, Kraftwerk and A-ha sit together in perfect harmony as singer Ida Cæcilie Rasmussen provides a sublime layer of her own authenticity, serving to add a peculiar dimension to the material. While "Waves of past relations" certainly adheres to an '80s electro aesthetic, there's something very Mazzy Star about the work as well. It's not that it sounds the same; rather it has a level of enigmatic virtue that's utterly compelling and deeply satisfying. There's also an ever-so-slight touch of Genghis Tron on here, although that's not to say that this is in any way heavy. It's simply that, sonically, some of the music is quite reminiscent of GT's soft electronic moments. If there's one criticism though, it's that "Waves..." can get a bit tedious after a while, which points to the conclusion that this is music to be in the mood for rather than a disc for all seasons.
- John Norby