Yeasayer has garnered a distinct reputation among music blogs, devout followers and the festival circuit, and the group’s latest album, “Fragrant World,” further contributes fodder to the fandom. It’s different, more electronic and attention-deficit than past releases, foregoing some of the more digestible pop elements. It gives the impression that one track is comprised of 10 songs, wedged with different tempos and tones. The synths, strings and sound effects capture the forefront of attention, leaving vocals and lyrics in the shadow of short melodic clips and reverberating blasts. Shining tracks include the first song “Fingers Never Bleed” and “Reagan’s Skeleton,” the former peppered with electronic piano notes and a clapping beat. The song breaks into arcade pinging and whining shifty sounds set to the voice of singer Chris Keating. “Fragrant World” excites through the median track, but peters out on the tail end, jerked to lower latitudes by eerie vocals and less pleasing compositions.
Grade: B+
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