(This review first appeared in issue #85 of Shindig! magazine.)
Midlake bassist Paul Alexander began work on a debut solo album under the Two Medicine moniker during a lengthy period of band downtime. Whether missing the band helped shape the sense of longing present throughout this album is unclear but what is apparent is that Alexander is capable of creating music of elegance and depth which more than suffices in the absence of a new Midlake album.
Astropsychosis teems with adult-oriented Dreampop and taps into America's latent mysticism and spirituality. Counter-melody basslines dance around over pillow-like sonic textures while Alexander's soft, understated, often layered voice delivers lyrics of subtle protest and quiet hope. Standouts include 'SF', a state-of-the-nation address, and 'Gold' where a descending bass guitar line and some 12-string guitar jangle meet for the album's most sublime moment of glistening pop. While the rest of the record may not yield its beauty so immediately over time its charm is slowly revealed.
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