Telfon Tel Aviv - "Immolate Yourself"

Judging from their German-techno label Bpitch Control, it can almost readily be assumed that Telefon Tel Aviv is full of raw, driving electronica like such label mates as Modeselektor, Moderat, Ellen Allien or Sache Funke. However, Telfon Tel Aviv's new record Immolate Yourself is surprisingly far from such acts. Not to mention the duo isn’t from Europe (New Orleans!). Instead, Immolate Yourself perfectly blends the electronic roots of their label with a heavily textured, almost organic sounding pop. (Think a more melancholy Manitoba's "Up in Flames" or early M83) This isn't to say this is a pop record—far from it. Opening track "The Birds" is nearly a 7-minute affair that slowly builds off a driving beat and a glitchy rhythm atop shallow vocals to an overwhelming crescendo on the brink of blissful chaos. While "Mostly Translucent" wallows in an ambient stillness through fractured, fuzzed-out drums under an echo-y synthesizer. However, amongst such tracks, Telefon Tel Aviv showcases an ability to effectively marry their electronic roots with a strong pop music sensibility. Such tracks as "Helen of Troy" contain the same romanticism of Soft Cell and showcase such knack. This combination makes Immolate Yourself a beautiful ride that often results in a surprising emotionalism not usually found in the sterile sounds of electronica. If the latest Animal Collective--in all its droopy reverb and layered sounds—is everyone's favorite new record, then Immolate Yourself could very well be its electronic counterpart. Replace the folk roots with some synthesizers and a hint of German techno and you have a very similar and equally rewarding sound.