There’s something extraordinarily contradictory about Tarwater‘s music. At least, that’s what their promo material says. And who am I to argue? Animals, Suns & Atoms opens with a mish-mash of spacey electronics blending seamlessly into the surreal and sinister “All Of The Ants Left Paris” on which Ronald Lippok‘s sanguine vocals sound strangely like an absinthe-soaked Lou Reed left to mutter ominously on a Paris side-street (and yes, that’s Ronald Lippok of To Rococo Rot). There’s something almost Brechtian about the atmosphere of this album, and yet at the same time it’s difficult to deny the Dub-pop sound of the music which lilts breezily along in a frenzy of “catchiness”. See what I mean…? Contradictory as hell.

The music here is rich and dense, but is prevented from being in any way dark by just how melodic it is. So you’re left with something that’s perfect to listen to in a candle-lit room, on your back on the floor, but is also a perfect accompaniment to a summer’s day in the park.