Subtle - exitingARM
(Lex) CD, LP coming soon
Doseone & co. return from relentless touring for 2006’s criminally under-appreciated for hero: for fool with their first bonafied attempt at pop (somewhat). Over three proper full lengths, Subtle have become a lot more comfortable shedding their shoe-gaze hip-hop aesthetic for inquisitive adventures into more traditional pop arrangements. Dose’s vocal melodicism has developed, as has the band’s balance of restraint with full-on sonic blitz. There are echoes of hip hop — the drums punch & the odd rapid fire oration from Dose pops up here & there — but for the most part, Subtle seem like their shooting for a new hybrid of the synthetic pop that The Flaming Lips are known for. Creative, interesting music fo’ sho’.