The Radio Dept.
Clinging To A Scheme

THE REVIEW

Four years have passed since the last work of the Radio Dept., that "Pet Grief" which so bewildered those who were dazzled by the beauty of a masterpiece like "Lesser Matters". The latter was truly a fundamental album of the 2000s, with its electronic shoegaze revival and sweetly dreamy; "Pet Grief", on the other hand, had an even more electronic and almost danceable accent. Well, perfection often lies in the middle, and the Swedish band understood this immediately, delivering an album that will likely satisfy everyone: from the first to the last followers. But in my opinion, there is a variation: the first two albums were, in one way or another, more sophisticated and undoubtedly required a more attentive listen; now, however, the band has pulled out of the bag 10 purely pop pearls with a "Caribbean" flavor, much more melodic and with a greater focus on sound, once again demonstrating their versatility. Songs to listen to simply when you feel like it, as naturally as possible.

Along the way, you meet the '90s, take "This Time Around" and "The Video Dept": how can you not recall the early My Bloody Valentine. The real star is undoubtedly that refined and varied electro-pop (first among which "A Token Of Gratitude", meaning a soft and dreamy journey; "Domestic Scene" and "Heaven's On Fire" which even recall Kings Of Convenience thanks to the acoustic sound of the guitars). Synth-pop with almost trip-hop rhythms in "Never Follow Suit" and flashes of noisy experimentation in the instrumental "Four Months In The Shade", something between M83 and certain Fuck Buttons. Pure nostalgia in the touching finale of "You Stopped Making Sense".

Varied but not inconsistent, this "Clinging To A Scheme" presents itself with a different accent from previous works, yet still drops anchor in the same sea. Swimming in it is beautiful.

Rating: 7/10