Dan Deacon's Gliss Riffer: Moments of Discovery Shine Through

Dan Deacon's Gliss Riffer, his first LP in three years, leans into a more intuitive and pared-back working method. While the lead single hinted at a return to catchy hooks, the album largely emphasizes exploration over prominent choruses. The soundscapes are softened by reverb and chorus effects, creating a sense of organic gradation.

This approach makes Gliss Riffer a departure from Deacon's more complex past works like Bromst and America. Instead, it feels like a direct engagement with manipulating loops of layered glissando, as the title suggests. While some tracks like 'Mind on Fire' and 'Sheathed Wings' may feel less distinct, moments of exciting discovery emerge.

Tracks such as 'Take It to the Max' showcase Deacon on the cusp of new sounds, blending detailed mutations with synth-horn chorales and vocal noises. 'Meme Generator' offers an unusually mellow atmosphere, and 'Steely Blues' features glacial synth ambience. These experimental textures, while not a radical reinvention, are enjoyable and occasionally exceptional.