Múm - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy (2007)

Ah, more beautiful music from Sigur Ros' dreamy peers. Múm bring us another album full of that magical essence that seems to pervade this Icelandic scene: blissed-out, glitchy experimentation wrapped up in crystal clear, ice-refracted tones glaciating beneath singing so pure and innocent it makes children seem evil.

As opposed to the crunchy, pseudo-moody sound of their previous album, Summer Make Good, Múm adopt a more poppy, hopeful sound on Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy. Main singer Kria's impossibly-soft mewling sometimes ventures into more typical realms, and is now accompanied by a bloke whose chill singing invokes thoughts of The Album Leaf. The electronic glitches likewise break their spastic form more often to assume traditional beats, serving to make the music more drum-driven and streamline the sound. A tad bit more radio-friendly, but no less interesting. As far as the overall style, Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy has a jazzy feel that involves piano, trumpet, and whatever else these chaps could get their hands on.

This is apparently the last album with Kria in it, so it will be interesting to see how it goes from here. Nonetheless, if you love Sigur Ros, World's End Girlfriend, or Piana, you are sure to be pleased by this album.

Go go smear my poison ivy, and let your crooked hands be holy...

9/10