Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2009

For vocal duties on their second album since the departure of singer Kristin Anna Valtysdottir, Mum has turned to Estonian choir Suisapaisa, which on “The Smell of Today is Sweet Like Breastmilk in the Wind” imparts an effect that recalls the choral flourishes of The Polyphonic Spree. Described by the group as a “more relaxed and quietly sad” affair, in response to Iceland’s recent political and economic turmoil, Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know treads a fine line between dreamy… and simply soporific. The space-age-bachelor-pad synthesizers of “Sing Along” make for one of the more successful outings, while the twee violins of “A River Don’t Stop To Breathe” may be too much for all but hardcore fans. Look for Mum to provide chin-stroking moments in-between the beats at the big Taico Club get-together next month in Kawasaki. See concert listings for details.