What lasts at the transience fair

The magic of comeback albums is often deceptive. But that's no more the case than the iconic Anglo-French group Stereolab, who return after 15 years, just when we need them most, with their unique analog guitar-keyboard chill out sound, which so charmingly seduces and promises that everything will be fine (although we know it won't be). Latest work, Instant Holograms on Metal Film – is without a doubt one of the best of their 11 studio releases and is absolutely superb.

Founded in London in 1990, "Stereolab" have kept their basic form to this day, because they function gathered around the former romantic couple - Tim Gaine (guitar, keyboards) and Leticia Sadje (vocals) - with various great collaborators. Their most important albums – Mars Audiac Quintet (1994) Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996) and, in particular, a masterpiece Dots and Loops (1997) – they launched a previously unknown elegant stylistic self-awareness in alternative rock and opened it to new emotional landscapes. It was a bold innovation in the history of rock music in general - "Stereolab" united in their sound kraut rocks, lounge, bossa nova, psychedelia, soul, chanson and avant-garde electronica. All of you cool "light" notes that bring a refined sensibility were the template to create a new noble pop vision, accompanied by humor and social engagement of these self-aware artists who know music like the back of their hand.

With their sophistication, Tim and Leticia brought into rock and roll an ease of observing and commenting on the world that was unknown until that time. Rock authors are usually inclined to be slaves to the tragic myth of the "tortured poet", who "suffers because of weltschmerz". "Sterolab" have shown that it is possible to remain a deep observer of the world, and at the same time play music that allows us to freely experience that world, despite all its shortcomings. Our world has long since become a fair of transience. "Stereolab" is the answer to that circumstance. And indeed, it is difficult to find music creators who play with superficial and trivial genres in such a refined way, in order to reveal to us the unsuspected possibilities of deep immersion that are hidden right behind those scenes. This is probably also the most important, anti-cynical message of "Stereolab" - behind all that seems fleeting and ephemeral to us, some deeper meaning can be found.

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"Stereolab" finds meaning in rejoicing in the miracle of life. Their sound texture is therefore always irresistibly sensual and optimistic, inspiring and liberating, and the just released album Instant Holograms on Metal Film it is not different in any way. In this way, they also give us an answer to the key question: how to successfully find inner peace and tranquility within ourselves, without which we would not survive in the face of the ever-increasing number of temptations that beset us unforgivingly...

The superb stylization, for which they have always been known, plays a major role - style gives us the power to find ourselves... without style, Stereolab would not be what they are. Subtle arrangements, delicate harmonies and fine weaving of production techniques superiorly demonstrate a high awareness of what this art wants to say. "Stereolab" never underestimate their listeners - they always give them more, deeper and unexpected, without any sterile artistic arrogance. All the time present in the first person, together with us they go through the experiences contained in the compositions whose palpable emotionality they build exclusively with vintage warm, analog instruments (which is a trend they launched themselves, thus influencing numerous later compositions around the world, from "Air" to "Darkwood Dub").

"Stereolab" were and remain the ideal group for a solitary dance in the head. Several songs start dreamily, fairy-like carefully drawing us into their universe, under the guidance of the standard beautiful tone of Leticia's voice, more and more like Niko, only to be transformed in the second half into ecstatic electronic rides that take us to catharsis. The new tracks follow the same old track of non-stop heightened sensuality, and above all: the single "Aerial Troubles", followed by a video in which people are present only herring, somehow just like in real life; then the set vision "Melodie Is a Wound", certainly the best song in this collection and a future classic of this group; then "Immortal Hands", "Transmuted Matter", "Flashes from Everywhere" and "Colour Television", inspired compositions that most convincingly offer the indomitable upgrade their aesthetics for the advanced XXI century. The thing that surprises and makes this record special in their career is called "If You Remember I Forgot How to Dream Pt. 1 & Pt. 2" - in it "Stereolab" unexpectedly returns to the usual sound of a rock band, innovating it according to their sensibility, as if to say that there is still a place for rock and roll in the future, which they so clearly see.

In that future, there will be a need for peace and tranquility, and we will have even less of that than today - luckily, "Stereolab" has already provided them and sent them into the future, to be found when we need them, limiting our inner exile with their music. Astral arty pop rock which they invented carries a special spirituality and grace, based on concern for the fate of the little man, confused by the world's catastrophes that happen more and more often. As disasters are more frequent, the intimacy policy of the "Stereolab" group is also more current.

There is something extremely moving about this meeting with old friends, who still hold themselves with dignity and from their high position oversee the world pattern and its current turmoil, offering us a much-needed refuge just when we needed it. The magic of comeback albums is often deceptive, but it's definitely there here.