Brooklyn noise pop trio Grooms have been immersed in '90s adoration for most of their existence, and for the years before when some of their core members played as the Muggabears. Prom, their second full-length since changing their name and drummer in 2009, finds Grooms integrating subtle electronic touches into their ferocious guitar-heavy sound and veering ever so slightly away from their '90s influences toward a lush signature sound of their own. The strengths of Prom come from its outpouring of atmosphere. Layers of noisy guitar swim with spooky bass figures and mysterious electronic sweeps, creating a sound that's easy to get lost in. Grooms opt for the typically shoegazey low-in-the-mix vocals, effecting a nice textural blending of voices and music. Bassist Emily Ambruso sings lead on the short and scrappy "Sharing," her whisper-soft vocals strikingly reminiscent of Bilinda Butcher on pre-Loveless-era My Bloody Valentine. Most songs are sung by guitarist Travis Johnson, whose raspy delivery leans more toward Malkmus than Shields. Johnson occasionally struggles to find his range, generally in a charming way, but at times detrimental to the songs. The vocals sound misplaced and creaky on standout track "Skating with Girl," distracting from the song's haunting bassline and lush synth beddings.

1		Tiger Trees
2		Prom
3		Expression Of
4		Imagining the Bodies
5		Skating With Girl
6		Psychics
7		Aisha
8		Into the Arms
9		Sharing
10		Don't Worry, You're Prettier
11		3D Voices

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