13 & God

Since a tour bus fire in Canada caused the layover that fused the American abstract rap group Themselves and part of the German electro-rock group the Notwist, doesn’t that mean the project now known as 13+ God is Canadian? Although the six musicians ultimately recorded in Germany, the creators of such a gorgeous, pensive and gently dark album of rap-sprinkled mutated electronic indie rock definitely deserve citizenship. Elegant and thick Notwist-ed harmonies lengthen against DoseOne’s short, nasal honesties. Instruments are sepia toned and smartly layered like tiramisu — substantial but light at the same time. Lyrics are slightly dark (as you’d expect) but delivered in less sinister and more wistful tones than previous efforts. The six-piece wrote by exchanging demos and ideas across the Atlantic, and the song structures display the results of being massaged over time. Each song incorporates so many elements that it could get somewhat junky but all are organised to lead to an eclectic and almost meditative sentiment. "Afterclap,” for example, uses gorgeous harmonies, filtered comic samples, some kind of clarinet, pauses and sparsely solid drumming to roll out a sense of autumn. The following song "Soft Clap” starts with a Dose poem, xylophone, and cello for a serious vibe, accentuated by a classic hip-hop beat dressed down. Throughout, the album emanates a smart-art moodiness that refreshes from its depths with maturity and beauty.