The sophomore album from Acid City Nuns, The Engine melds throwback charm and futuristic intrigue � spanning from the serene sophisti-pop nostalgia of �Just Say So� to the electro-pop immediacy within �If You�re Ever Lonely.� Whether in the form...
The sophomore album from Acid City Nuns, The Engine melds throwback charm and futuristic intrigue � spanning from the serene sophisti-pop nostalgia of �Just Say So� to the electro-pop immediacy within �If You�re Ever Lonely.� Whether in the form of introspective instrumentals � like the lounge-friendly jazz of �Time Alone� to the lush escapism achieved via �Caribbean Dream� � or magnetic vocal-fronted pop songwriting, The Engine is a delight of a listening experience from Acid City Nuns.
Tender guitar stylings and an adoring dual-vocal layering enamor on the opening �I Love the Things that You Do,� kicking off the release with a breezily accessible appeal. The ensuing �If You�re Ever Lonely� presents a more upfront charisma, with fuzzy synth-bass and ascending vocals driving to a catching �if you�re ever lonely,� bridge into a delectably galloping hook; the nostalgic electro-pop and funk intertwining make for a stellar production on this engaging track.
Lush piano and dreamy vocals lead on another standout in �Just Say So,� crafting a sophisti-pop nostalgia with shades of Prefab Sprout. The title-touting refrain proves smoothly entrancing, with pit-pattering percussion and soft guitar twangs. The vocals peacefully descend into a simmer as the hypnotic instrumentation assembles, re-emerging with tactful precision. There�s a fun �80s nostalgia apparent in this one-two punch of �If You�re Ever Lonely� and �Just Say So,� with the former exuding a more direct charisma and the latter embracing with a sweetly endearing sophisti-pop charm.
A lounge-friendly jazz arsenal impresses on the tranquil �Time Alone.� While not touting the hooky immediacy of the preceding efforts, it�s a calming mid-point table-setter, traversing into the late-night groove of �Tabula Rasa (midnight).� The album�s middle section fully struts Acid City Nuns� premiere atmospheric chops, bridged together by intriguing conversational interludes. The finale, �Synthesis,� also succeeds with its vocal-less production and atmospheric strengths, concluding the album with a meshing of vintage funk and spacey electronic futurism.
�Faultless� is the final vocal-accompanied track on the album, also succeeding with a tranquil shimmering with elements of sophisti-pop, soul, and funk. Although the vocals and overall instrumentation do not show an abundance of tonal variety, the reassuring �child, it�s not your fault,� lyricism and twinkling keys compel with an inviting soundscape, an aspect that�s prevalent throughout the entirety of The Engine, from the lushly tropical �Caribbean Dream� to the infectious electro-pop of �If You�re Ever Lonely.� The Engine is a surefire success from Acid City Nuns.
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