9.4
/Exotica pop, Avant-pop, Post-psychedelic electronica, Glo-fi, Alternative, Leftfield, Electronic pop/
Comment: this set of 6 notches pushes off with intensive yet uplifting synth and brass mixed sounds reminding a little bit of Morricone-loaded Stereolab. Indeed, Strange Rituals is one of the best birds popped out from 2012. However, the following tracks showcase the same traces, though, using more spacey guitar sounds and showing more Scott Walker-esque visions which in turn are blended with fine haunting electronica and vintage, dusty keyboards within it. At times it resembles of Space, the British indie combo from the 90`s who loved express themselves through buffoonish vocal lines, acidic synths and highly orchestrated frames. Furthermore, Maston used to take on gritty exotica pop throughout its course. In true, it is elusively strange and retrodelic at the same time. In a nutshell, the result is superb and highly convincing.