THE BESNARD LAKES

A Coliseum Complex Museum

This is the Besnard Lakes’ first record since 2013’s Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO. They don’t deviate too much from that record’s triedand-true formula; it’s a wall-to- wall psychedelic bliss-out, featuring eight tracks stuffed with dense instrumentation and the lush harmonies of husband and wife Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas. Recorded at the band’s own Breakglass Studios, A Coliseum Complex Museum is a real headphones record; a close listen allows the complex and multi-layered instrumentation to fully shine. And yet, the record can feel like it is lacking in standout tracks, mostly because the hooks are absent and things start feeling a bit same-y in the back half. There are moments of transcendence — see the synth part in the middle of “Towers Sent Her to Sheets of Sound” or the insane duelling guitar solo at the end of album closer “Tungsten 4: The Refugee” — but none of these songs will have you singing along. If you liked the Besnard Lakes’ previous records, A Coliseum Complex Museum will probably not disappoint, although it’s unlikely to win legions of new fans. (Outside Music, outside-music.com/label) DAVE MIX