School of Seven Bells: Disconnect from Desire

An enjoyable if occasionally familiar-sounding second album from this New York trio – twin sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza plus former Secret Machines guitarist Benjamin Curtis – continues their open-armed embrace of the woozy melodies and prettified feedback of early-90s shoegaze indie while upping their game somewhat in terms of polish and accessibility. Windstorm is a strong opener, instantly recalling My Bloody Valentine in its looping, processed-vocal riff; indeed the influence of MBV's Loveless album looms large, from the dense, hot guitars and indie-disco shake of Babelonia to ILU's pitch-bending hums and endless sustain. But there's a poppier sensibility here, too, placing the Deheza sisters' immaculate vocals to the fore and tending towards lighter, brighter tunes and arrangements: Heart Is Strange shares a bit of Bat for Lashes' airy drama, while Bye Bye Bye's cool, clear chorus is probably the album's best shot at that sweet spot between artful sonics and all-out pop.