Pure X

Angel (Fat Possum)

Too many bands are content to hide behind reverb, obscuring all meaning and direction with effects pedals. Pure X’s 2011 full-length, Pleasure, trafficked in smoke and mirrors, while last year’s Crawling up the Stairs made only lateral moves, awakening awkwardly from hazy slumbers in a panicked cold sweat that clashed with the overall mellow vibes. After a year on the road and now a quartet, these Austinites finally step into the light on Angel. It’s an unintentional throwback to Texas’ slo-core scene of the Nineties that – despite its eyesore EDM cover art – strikes a compelling balance between glacial pacing and immediate songcraft. Singer Nate Grace has a knack for frail melodies that stick like gum on hot cement. “Looks like I fell into the dream again,” he remarks at one point. If you don’t pitch yourself every so often, you’re likely to do the same. (Sat., 4:30pm, Reverberation Stage)

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This article appears in May 2 • 2014.

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