8.5
Best tracks: Star Shine, DDDDDDreaMMMMMM, She Is Under The Moon
Listen and buy here: https://hedgehogrock.bandcamp.com/
Phantom Pop Star is Hedgehog's 6th studio album and it sees the Beijing based "noise-pop trio from another world" undergo a transformation from their most recent energy-filled indie rock effort Sun Fun Gun to a much more expansive sound. Phantom Pop Star sees the group venture slightly into the world of psychedelia with guitars sounds that are much more shoegazey and dreamy than previous Hedgehog songs.
This effort at something more psychedelic and expansive manages not to be half-baked or gimmicky, aided by some excellent production from the band. This album is one of Hedgehog's most thoughtfully produced records with nothing feeling out of place. An example of this would be the inclusion of a cello (played by Yang Zai) in three of the tracks that build on the songs subtly. The guitar sounds in this album should be noted, with guitarist and singer ZO creating some really spacey and instantly relaxing textures. Some guitar sounds reminded me a bit of early Modest Mouse tracks like Dramamine.
Bass player Fun and drummer Atom have changed roles slightly in this album, slowing down their usually driving and energetic playing to something more laid-back. This isn't to say that they're lazy, just more chilled. There's a very cool Vitamin C-esque shuffle on She Is Under The Moon. Their tight but laid-back rhythms complement ZO's guitar textures perfectly, creating a succession of relaxing songs with plenty of space within. Sweeping phasers and buckets of reverb coat the album, swelling and ebbing, building up and breaking down. Nothing is rushed but nothing is slow.
This can be considered to be one of Hedgehog's best works to date. Their venture into a much more dreamy sound is a good move and has paid off with one of the best albums to come out of China this year. It also confirms their now legendary status within the Chinese indie scene, a class act.
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