Hope Sandoval

Hope Sandoval continues in the vein of Mazzy Star, but here without David Roback. Creating elusive but accessible dream pop, she's joined by Colm O'Ciosoig of My Bloody Valentine, now part of a band she calls the Warm Inventions. The two combine talents to make a stylistically more varied set than the Mazzy Star releases of the '90s. Sandoval's distinct vocals remain intact but what's different is the overall feel of the music; where it was once overtly shoegaze-y, Sandoval now lets up a bit, allowing in some luminescence and variety. "On the Low" stands out because of its lazy bossa nova rhythms, lounge-y backup vocals, and odd harmonica part, but all the songs contain their own brand of subtle loveliness. Bert Jansch contributes his lilting olde English guitar work to two tracks, and Ji-Young Moon adds heartbreaking cello parts to "Feeling of Gaze." ~ Travis Drageset, All Music Guide