Modern Nature – The Heat Warps – Album Review
by Killian Laher

Jack Cooper and co had been heading into increasingly obtuse territory with their previous albums, Island of Noise and No Fixed Point In Space.  This time around, they have retreated from that and turned in an album much closer to the sound of their debut, with conventional song structures.  It opens with the spindly guitar and motorik beat of Pharaoh.  The mood is gentle and bucolic across the album, and this continues with the tranquil plod of Radio.  This and many other tracks here call to mind Crosby, Stills and Nash of all people.

There are highlights across the album, the excellent, spindly guitar work on Glance and Takeover, while the moody, downbeat Source features gorgeous instrumentation and singing.   None of the tracks outstay their welcome, with only the stirring closer Totality running to six minutes.  Alpenglow has excellent harmonies, adding some interesting noises towards the end, but fades before it hits the four-minute mark.  All the songs continue their penchant for one-word titles!

This may disappoint fans of their more avant-garde work, but it’s a subtle glory.  It feels like something that could soundtrack your autumn.  It’s very enjoyable from start to finish.

Pharaoh