Electronica

The latest releases reviewed.

EFTERKLANG Parades Leaf ****

In 2004, Danish collective Efterklang received accolades aplenty from people who had heard their Tripper album and revelled in its heady, heartwarming mix of icy atmospherics, lush orchestrations and warm-hearted melodies. On Parades, Efterklang go for width as much as depth, a decision which has helped create an enthralling album. Such a move was signalled to an extent on their Under Giant Trees mini-album, but these folky masterpieces, augmented with strings, brass and spectral choirs, are in a completely different class. Others have tried to ice their electronica in this manner before, but Efterklang's quiet audacity and daring sonic designs make Parades such a must-hear. The charms that run through Mirador and, particularly, Polygyne will impress listeners over and over again. www.efterklang.net JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Polygyne, Mirador

© 2007 The Irish Times