Off the Edge of the Earth & Into Forever Forever
marks Australian dance trio Art vs. Science's second LP and first in four years, and it's a revitalizing, more mature outing than their all-things-hooky electronic dance-pop debut. The bass-grooving, hi-hat driven "In This Together" kicks off the party (it's still a party) and leads into robot-like processed vocals on the eventually light and melodic "Chosen One," demonstrating a newfound mix of levity and substance. Art vs. Science haven't lost their weighty production style, or their energy, or big choruses, but gone is the persistent, well, yelling, and a certain vacuousness that shouldn't be lamented. Listeners can still put on their dancing shoes and step to rumbling beats ("Unity") and patchwork weirdness ("When It's Over"), but here it's offered alongside crafted new wave revival ("Stars, Pt. 1") and even a version of melodic guitar pop ("Diana"). ~ Marcy Donelson