Interiors

Glasser, the musical pseudonym of America’s Cameron Mesirow, returns with the follow up to her acclaimed 2010 debut Ring.

With song titles such as ‘Shape,’ ‘Design,’ and ‘Landscape’ as well as constant lyrical references, the themes of architecture and space that underpin Interiors are impossible to ignore.

Mesirow claims to have drawn inspiration for her new record from Delirious New York, a 1978 book by architect Rem Koolhaas and, having relocated from her native California to the vivacious streets of New York City between albums, Mesirow’s own experience of the cityscape combine with Koolhaas’ musings to build a definite concept for the album.

Musically, these ideas present themselves in the intricate soundscapes and precise electro-pop grooves that constitute Interiors.

The album’s first two tracks, ‘Shape’ and ‘Design,’ provide examples of this clean, computer-generated sound at its most effective and highlight all that is good about the record. With Meisrow’s beautiful vocal melodies layered over intricate beats, ‘Shape’ in particular grabs attention from the outset.

However, as the 12-track LP continues, the slick, cool aesthetic turns slightly cold as the music struggles to convey any strong emotion. Fortunately, moments such as the up-tempo ‘Keam Theme,’ and instrumental ‘Window II’ buck this trend and provide hints of just how good Glasser can be.

On the whole, Interiors is a high quality, accomplished album, but all its polish seems to have covered up some of its personality.

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