John Maus' second album since building his own custom set of modular synths, Addendum offers more of the murky post-punk revivalism and synthesizer experiments of 2017's Screen Memories. In fact, the title refers to its relationship as a companion album to Screen Memories; its 12 tracks were recorded during the same home-studio sessions. Addendum also rounded out a six-LP, career-spanning box set released in April 2018 (John Maus Boxset) before it was issued by itself on CD and digital formats a month later. Like its predecessor, the album revels in the dark and danceable timbres of English, German, and American clubs circa Joy Division, Suicide, early Cabaret Voltaire, et al. There are two covers on the album: "Privacy" is by prior collaborator Ariel Pink, and the transformed "Drinking Song" is an instrumental version of a vocal piece by early Renaissance composer Oswald von Wolkenstein. Still a man of few words on his own songs as well, Maus' lyrics for "1987" repeat the year several times before eventually rhyming it with "AK-47" over flawlessly crude electronic drums and spooky, swirling melodic synths. Also still at least as irreverent as Screen Memories tracks like "Teenage Witch" and the morbid "Pets," Addendum takes on rich ignoramuses in "Outer Space," while "Running Man" and the unfortunate "Dumpster Baby" are brusquely self-explanatory. Though the track begins by establishing a four-on-the-floor beat, "Mind the Droves" goes on to showcase more complex basslines and drum rhythms while retaining its danceable pulse, and "Second Death" has brighter timbres that lean into the realm of toy keyboards and pan flute. Through these minor variations, Addendum stays true not only to Screen Memories' distinct palette, but also to its reliable grooves, imprecise structures, and dark cheekiness. Despite its self-deprecating title and a slightly more haphazard feel, Addendum deserves full main-release status on shelves and in digital libraries alongside Maus' other work. ~ Marcy Donelson, Rovi

1		Outer Space
2		Dumpster Baby
3		Episode
4		Drinking Song
5		Figured It Out
6		Middle Ages
7		Mind the Droves
8		Privacy
9		Running Man
10		Second Death
11		1987
12		I Want to Live

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