Qurious: Void Vanishing

Over the last few years, Qurious has carved out a singular space within Atlanta’s musical circles. Void Vanishing finds Mike Netland’s celestial ambiance and Catherine Quesenberry’s exquisite voice coalescing with a mature new sound — not quite the ecstatic pop they summoned by deconstructing the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” nor is it the pure abstraction of Planet Plant. “Rubies’” slight atmosphere builds around melodic nods to Erik Satie’s “Trois Gymnopédies,” while “Pactolian” hints at a secret narrative lingering somewhere in the ether. The swelling rhythms of “Termina” punctuate the energy that’s resonating all throughout the album, allowing it to stand on its own experimental structures. Standard-issue indie psych fare this is not. Void Vanishing is, however, one of the most captivating Atlanta releases this year. (5 out of 5 stars)