Music Review: Air - "Pocket Symphony"

If there is anybody who suffers from the brilliance of their first album, it is Air. 1998’s Moon Safari was (for the most part rightfully) declared an instant classic, giving a fresh new electronica-based interpretation of lounge-pop. The album was so universally hailed that Air has been forced to deal with the consequences since 1998 that every album by them since then has prompted the question, “Is it as good as Moon Safari?” Thus, the extremely underrated and experimental 10000 Hz Legends was destroyed for not only not being Moon Safari, but for being *gasp* different and experimental! 2004’s Talkie Walkie satisfied some fans, but seemed to be almost too middle of the road.

Fortunately, Air have persevered, and their new album, Pocket Symphony, is far more than satisfying. For those still waiting for another Moon Safari, stop now: this isn’t Moon Safari, there is only one Moon Safari, deal with it. However, Pocket Symphony is brilliant in its own right, for it combines the experimentalism of 10000 Hz Legends and the pedestrian pop-sounds of Talkie Walkie, all while embarking in new directions for Air. Avoiding expectations (and demands) for more of the loung-pop sound that dominated previous albums, this is the most dreamy work they have ever provided. Titles like “Spacemaker” and “Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping” give an exact sense of the feel of the album. However, unlike previous Air albums (particularly Talkie Walkie), this one has a sense of urgency and emotion. The best example of this is Jarvis Cocker’s (of Pulp) addition, “One Hell of a Party,” which inspiredly sings of a breakup as if it were a hangover. The presence of actual emotions, be it loss (“One Hell of a Party,”) or love that is so unrequited it almost gains a sense of menace (“Redhead Girl”) is a welcome addition to Air’s repetoire. Even the production is more personal, giving a warmth absent in their poppier work.

It is clear that Air’s recent experience working on soundtracks (The Virgin Suicides, as well as workign on Charlotte Gainsbourg’s 5:55) has greatly benefitted their evolution. The two Frenchmen successfully create murky, dreamy atmospheres that are full of sounds and feelings that reveal themselves over time, making this perhaps Air’s most rewarding album yet.

5.5 square glasses (out of 6)