Of Montreal:Paralytic Stalks

In a word, Of Montreal’s Paralytic Stalks is wicked. Whether delving into Kevin Barnes’ lyrics - which tear open with the not-so-subtle intro to “Gelid Ascent”: “You are what parasites evolved from” - or navigating the baroque pop of “Wintered Debts” as it bleeds into wintry avant-garde landscapes, Paralytic Stalks is a refreshingly menacing album to the core. “We Will Commit Wolf Murder” brings the energy to a fine point on the dance floor, but “Exorcismic Breeding Knife” is the droning heart of darkness, a noisy ocean of tension and surrealist dirges that contribute as much to the album’s air of miasma as Barnes’ chafed songwriting. When the smoke clears he emerges, still glowering, but “Authentic Pyrrhic Remission” restores the group’s pop form. The album’s abstract essence eclipses the typical wide-eyed pop stylings that have defined Of Montreal in the past, revealing new layers of depth and darkness that culminate in a sonic masterpiece. (5 out of 5 stars)