Morcheeba

Since reuniting with lead singer Skye Edwards for their 2010 album, Blood like Lemonade, Brits Morcheeba have found their heart again. "Gimme Your Love" kicks off eighth album Head up High with Edwards' seductive invitation to, "Pull the blind down/try to wind down/take the liberty," while the dub-enhanced "Make Believer" is playful and sexy, making both upbeat tracks album highlights. While "Call it Love" is an attention-grabbing, Edwards-free diversion sung by James Petralli, its placement as the third track out the gate is abrupt. When Edwards returns for the crisp, beautifully disquieting "Under the Ice," the album feels like it is moving and breathing again. Edwards' ability to morph her magnificently feminine voice from bold to elusive, as on the frisky, Kylie Minogue-esque "Do You Good," often saves tracks that may otherwise be flavourless. Head Up High satisfyingly winds itself from one song to another, yet lacks a bit of overall "oomph"; it also sounds as if it could have been made ten years ago. Is that a good thing? Let's just say, in this case, it's not a bad aspect; it works.