Anders Trentemøller established his reputation during the early 2000s by releasing exquisitely detailed minimal techno and deep house 12"s, but his subsequent full-lengths and DJ mixes/curated compilations have suggested that shivering, melancholy post-punk and indie rock are much closer to his heart than dance music. Obverse continues in the path staked out by previous successes Lost and Fixion, with the tempos dialed down and the guitars turned up, but played with restraint. While Trentemøller has brought his previous album material to the stage with a full band backing him, he specifically envisioned Obverse as a studio project, resulting in songs that are much freer and more reflective. In some cases, this means that the tracks go on for a few minutes longer than necessary, but it all goes towards setting an evocative mood, something Trentemøller excels at doing. While he originally considered making Obverse entirely instrumental, he ended up drafting several guest vocalists, much like his previous albums. Rachel Goswell of Slowdive lends her angelic voice to the brooding, sprawling drift-pop of opener "Cold Comfort," while Lina Tullgren graces the more concise, structured "In the Garden." Previous collaborator Lisbet Fritze appears twice, with the heavy new wave tune "One Last Kiss to Remember" being a particular highlight, and jennylee of Warpaint delivers encouraging words on the upbeat, encouraging "Try a Little." While the guest vocalists all make welcome contributions, Trentemøller's instrumental arrangements are expressive enough in their own right. His weightless guitar-scapes are soothing, and when he unexpectedly doubles down on crushing distortion, as he does on several tracks, it's both alarming and thrilling. Likewise, the tricky drum breaks that pop up out of nowhere during the spiraling instrumental "Foggy Figures" make for some delectable brain candy. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi

1		Cold Comfort
2		Church Of Trees
3		In The Garden
4		Foggy Figures
5		Blue September
6		Trnt
7		One Last Kiss To Remember
8		Sleeper
9		Try A Little
10		Giants
11		Digital Booklet: Obverse

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