The follow up to their bewitching debut 'Alpinisms' sees School of Seven Bells ease into their comfort zone. Initially, the lack of new ideas is lamentable, but with repeated listens, 'Disconnect From Desire' becomes just as mesmerising as its predecessor.
When Secret Machines' Benjamin Curtis first teamed up with On!Air!Library! twins Claudia and Alejandra Deheza to release Alpinisms, their sound was instantly striking, packed with exotic rhythms and flavours, oriental undertones and intricate electronics all wrapped up in layers of hazy reverb. With its follow up, the overriding air hasn't changed much and, once again, the magic lies in the Dehezas' dazzlingly angelic voices, which seem not to harmonise so much as fuse together in true synchronicity.
This is a more soothing listen than Alpinisms, with a sense of contentment that is carried throughout. It lacks the same immediacy, but perhaps it's just that the novelty has worn off. Or perhaps, 'Desire' really does have a less experimental nature; less diversity, less curiosity, less outlandishness. The more time you spend with this record, the less it seems to matter. Opener 'Windstorm' is grounded by a catchy synth hook, 'Bye Bye Bye' is soft and alluring, while 'Dust Devil' makes the most use of electronics with a droning bass buzzing underneath snappy drum machines and dissonant harmonies.
As the Dehezas patiently sing "We get so hypnotised by the imposed rhythms of the passing time", it really is closing track, 'The Wait', that compounds the whole experience of Disconnect From Desire. Meditative, serene and absolutely beautiful.
