Grade: B
Swedish electronic duo I Break Horses released its second album, “Chiaroscuro,” on Tuesday. I Break Horses’ sound brings to mind the broad soundscapes of Sigur Rós, but with quicker beats and considerably more lyrics.
“Chiaroscuro” doesn’t do anything to redefine synth music, but it helps to make a name for the band after its respectable debut, “Hearts,” which was released in 2011. “Chiaroscuro” was first mentioned on NPR Music with the song “Denial,” soon bringing the band to the forefront of modern music listeners.
Along with “Denial,” other songs stand out as easy-going ballads in a manner that beckon to other chill-wave stylized acts like Washed Out. The opening track, “You Burn,” moves creepily as a whole, while maintaining the aesthetic of betrayal and condemnation.
Clocking in at 45 minutes, “Chiaroscuro” not only holds up against other major synth-based releases, but acts as a rock-solid following to “Hearts.” For listeners interested in more music like I Break Horses, look into Exitmusic and Glasser.