The cover of No Age’s latest album shows the aftermath of a minor accident: one or two bulbs swept up well, if not neatly. Together with the title, it paints an endearing scene of a helping hand. When the music arrives, it is uplifting and unpredictable—the sound of flowing creative expansion. The vivacious joy with which the duo arrange their electronic quirks is infectious and heartwarming. No Age ride their ambience like a large wave, accepting with glee that it might transiently destabilise or daunt. This record might not have existed without Lou Reed or Sonic Youth and is a beautiful salute to the artistic love of aberration.
24/30
A favourite: ‘Flutter Freer’
‘People Helping People’ is out now via Drag City.
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