The Luxembourg Signal - The Luxembourg Signal (Shelflife)

Shortly after an excellent 7”, The Luxembourg Signal, i.e., the UK/LA dreamgaze supergroup comprised of members of Aberdeen, Fonda and Trembling Blue Stars, deliver their debut masterpiece of fluid melodies, spacey drones and dark mystery.

Beginning with the throbbing Spiritualized pulse of “Dying Star,” The Luxembourg Signal blasts directly into the dreampop territory first forged by Echo and the Bunnymen and spacier Cure. Through a series of amazingly solid songs, the quintet explores the darkness in light by adding a touch of pain to their irresistibly catchy riffs and hypnotic drones fueled by vocalist Beth Arzy’s beautiful, forlorn vocals. The 7” tracks appear here, along with “First Light,” an ominous duet featuring Aberdeen’s John Girgus, and “Drowning,” a cascading wash of shoegaze glory punctuated by guest drummer, Dale Crover of The Melvins. There’s also the new wave twang of “We Go On” and the ’80s hedonistic smirk of the closing “Let It Go.” It’s an album full of surprises, where each track turns a corner into new, yet familiar, heady territory.

With such experience, both musically and personally, it’s no wonder that The Luxembourg Signal can produce such greatness the first time around. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long to hear them again.