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Sep 24, 2013 Trentemøller By Austin Trunick

We’ve been wowed by the ambient electronic music of Denmark’s Anders Trentemøller, in his ability to craft rich, woofer-rumbling electronic soundscapes and slick club cuts. After two LPs and an assortment of compilations and remixes, we’ve come to expect those things from him. His new LP, Lost, delivers those goods, and takes his music to whole new heights.

One of Trentemøller’s lesser-celebrated talents lies in his knack for finding well-suited musical accomplices, but it’s more pronounced than ever this third time around. He’s procured collaborators who elevate many of Lost‘s tracks beyond the realm of moody electronica and into territory more interesting and unique. From the very start, when Low’s Mimi Parker supplies cool, cooed vocals overtop the meditative, seven-minute opener “The Dream,” Trentemøller holds listeners’ attention by keeping his approach varied. He drafts Lower Dens’ Jana Hunter to sing over the rhythmic, pulsing “Gravity,” and reconnects with Danish vocalist Marie Fisker for the playful “Candy Tongue.” The album’s highlight is a collaboration with Jonny Pierce of The Drums, who provides vocals for the hypnotic “Never Stop Running.” Other Lost guest artists include Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino, The Raveonettes’ Sune Rose Wagner, and Ghost Society.

Looking beyond the flashy collaborations and sonic depth, Lost is also an exemplary demonstration of harnessed momentum, starting off at a slow boil, building steam early on, and rarely letting up across its dozen tracks. There’s an undercurrent of constant propulsion, compelled onward by its careful sequencing and marching, mechanical beats, that ensures the album never drags, even at a weighty 72 minutes (including a fake ending). Perhaps Trentemøller went so far as to spell out the M.O. for his third LP in the title of its standout track: Lost is certainly a record that never stops running. (www.anderstrentemoller.com)

Author rating: 8/10