Atlas Sound: Parallax

Label: 4AD

Bradford Cox is so ably advancing so many different narratives at the same time that he should be like, really well-known and widely admired. He is? Well, good. The Deerhunter capo's latest as Atlas Sound—three albums into this particular narrative and no, it's not possible to view it as any kind of side-project, no matter the Parallax (wink)—is a lush swirl of endlessly surprising pop songs, even after several listens. How do you select one to highlight in a review? You can't go wrong. First one, "The Shakes," a classic vocal hook over a full-bodied strum—timeless; next, "Amplifiers"—is this a different record? Cox is murmuring and cooing over burbles and a crisp snare, bewitching. Then, "Te Amo," the kind of elegantly experimental pop idea that 2011 should be swimming in, its circular guitar (or maybe it's a keyboard?) ebb-flowing under his vocals, Reich-ian in its simplicity and as lovely as anything you'd think to compare it to. Shall I continue? Next is the title track, which makes me think of the band Eels, in a favorable light. More? Do I need to? Or will you just trust that the ensuing eight songs hold equal charms, just waiting for your ears?