Hundred Waters have always been a singular proposition, putting out Pitchfork-approved electro-folk via Skrillex’s EDM imprint OWLSA. ‘Particle’, from May’s ‘Currency EP’, was the first sign the Los Angeles trio might be seeking to narrow the chasm between the two worlds, upping the BPM with a crepuscular take on a tropical bop. It isn’t the poppiest thing on this third LP, either. That distinction belongs to ‘Wave To Anchor’, which is powered by the sort of buoyant, ’90s house piano that wouldn’t seem amiss slotted onto Coldplay’s most recent album.
As a two-pronged introduction to what is essentially a soul-bearing break-up record, both songs feel misjudged. ‘Communicating’ is far stronger when its creators play to their strengths, rather than focus their energies on widening their audience, and Nicole Miglis’ emotionally bruised half-whispers are infinitely more suited to intimate arrangements. The best of these are ‘Blanket Me’ and the title track, both of which are built around piano and embellished with haunting electronics and mantra-like pleas.
