Intricate Patterns Of Light Dictate The Tone

Max Tundra “Glycaemic Index Blues”

It’s been a decade since Max Tundra released a record, which I suppose makes him the My Bloody Valentine of glitchy quirky English electronic pop music. There was a time when I would have said “ah, a genre of one,” but in recent years A.G. Cook, Sophie, and the PC Music crew have pushed the Tundra aesthetic into more contemporary and postmodern directions. Max’s music isn’t for everyone – it’s incredibly hyperactive and bouncy, like vintage video game music played at double or triple speed. The vocals keep up with the tempo by densely packing the lyrics with witty jokes, mundane observations, and profound thoughts that all somehow fit into intricate rhyme schemes. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s not hard to surrender to the energy of it, or just be in awe of Tundra’s relentless joyful creativity. And despite how self-consciously clever the music can be, it’s also remarkably vulnerable and sincere, particularly when he’s singing about having crushes and wanting to be loved.

Buy it from Amazon.

Note: Here’s a post I wrote about Max Tundra’s song “Number Our Days” that I like a lot, and another reviewing I concert I saw him perform in 2009. I have very little recollection of this show today, but it sounds like I had a very good time.