Stereolab: Sound-Dust (expanded edition) LP

In November 2019, Stereolab complete their year-long seven album reissue campaign with the release of 2001's Sound-Dust and 2004's Margerine Eclipse as expanded and remastered editions on vinyl via Warp Records and the band's own Duophonic UHF Disks. As with May's reissues of Transient Random Noise-Bursts With Announcements and Mars Audiac Quintet, and September's reissues of Emperor Tomato Ketchup, Dots and Loops, and Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night, each album in November's final batch has been remastered from the original 1/2" tapes by Bo Kondren at Calyx Mastering and overseen by Tim Gane. Bonus material will include unreleased demos and tracks from rare tour singles.

Originally issued in late 2001, Sound-Dust found Stereolab firmly in the midst of their second phase. After taking a two-year break, the band returned with a strong melodic focus and a highly evolved, sophisticated style of writing that further displayed their growing talents. Many fans and critics consider the album to be among the group's finest. Producers Jim O'Rourke (Sonic Youth, Gastr del Sol) and John McEntire (Tortoise, Sea and the Cake) returned to further Stereolab's continuing evolution. The group brings a lighter, almost orchestral touch to the set of songs with unpredictable shifts in tempo and melody; this new approach is especially apparent on the lead single "Captain Easychord" and its warped, country-tinged feel. The avant-garde and lounge textures still remain, but are balanced by sun-kissed harmonies and breezy Tropicalia.

Sound-Dust is another example of a pioneering band moving forward creatively. It's a full-color collage of sound bursting with catchy refrains and exuberant rhythms. Always a band to add new twists to their sound, the 12-song set returned Stereolab to its most playful and otherworldly.