Ulver's 'ATGCLVLSSCAP' channels a haze of kraut, psych, and ambient sounds

<a href="http://ulver.bandcamp.com/album/atgclvlsscap">ATGCLVLSSCAP by Ulver</a>
Chameleonic has long been the buzzword of choice for journalists covering Oslo's Ulver, but there's a consistency running through the Norwegians' catalog: mystery. The band's latest album ATGCLVLSSCAP (House of Mythology) is no different, enveloping the listener in an eclectic haze of kraut, psych, and ambient sounds. "Cromagnosis" unfolds in kaleidoscopic fashion amidst flashbacks of Faust and Amon Düül II, while "D-Day Drone" evokes Godspeed You!'s most somber moments. Elsewhere, "Ecclesiastes (A Vernal Catnap)" transforms Pete Seeger’s "Turn, Turn, Turn" into a cathartic expanse of post-rock textures. Here, songs unfurl without regard for convention or immediacy — just atmosphere. Listeners unfamiliar with '70s improvisation may find Ulver’s latest outing a head-scratcher, but those with a keen ear for exploratory psychedelic jams and electronic experimentation will feel right at home.
★★★★☆