Bleep

The Hawk Is Howling
On first spin it would seem that the Scottish-post rock outfit’s fifth record had done little to deviate from their successful well-worn template: dense atmospherics, spiralling guitar melodies to capture the imagination and the ‘oft quoted ‘quiet bit loud bit’ dynamic capture/release. However closer inspection stands the Hawk in amongst their finest work. ‘The Sun Smells Too Loud’ evidences glittering glorious hooks in its electronic pulse –their mainstream moment perhaps- and overall the Hawk shimmers with the hope-bound optimism of a band finding new pages to turn.

Rock Action
Released in 2001 Rock Action is the pivotal third studio album from Mogwai, notably produced by Dave Fridmann of Mercury Rev in New York. Utilising synths for the first time to widen their core soundstage, something they would continue to explore further in following releases, the album also features vocals from Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, singing in Welsh on the single Dial: Revenge.

Happy Songs For Happy People
Reminding of the brilliance of this well-loved group. On tracks like ‘Ratts of the Capital’, it is a thrill to hear the band’s full scope, with atmospheric piano and guitar licks building into a huge mass of fuzzy melancholy. Elsewhere, the album contains some of Mogwai’s most haunting numbers: the mournful strings of ‘Moses? I Amnt’, the wide-eyed and wistful pianos of ‘Golden Porsche’, and the naively twinkling electronics of ‘I Know You Are But What Am I?’.

Mr. Beast
Utterly excellent return from Mogwai, satisfying the diehard fans and converting some newbies as well. Veering from slightly oppressive neo-classical piano pieces to trademark wall of noise freakouts, this is equal parts spine tingling horror and beauty.