The debut album from the Los Angeles post-punk outfit Blackout Transmission occupied my turntable for many months in 2021, and this follow up has the band now living in New Mexico, but still taking up significant residence on the record player.

The lovely textures of “La Tierra Drift” start the eight tracks with a pretty, dreamy climate that flirts with shoegaze and has C.E. Goett singing hazily alongside Nate Donaldson’s fuzzy guitar. “Ulta Azul” follows and is a bit more muscular thanks to Justin Ivey’s fluid drums and swirling interaction between the guitars and bass, but it’s the soft versus dynamic demeanor of “Ascension (Towards Sangre Skies)” that alone is worth the price of admission.

“Calantha Dawn” exits side A, and enlists more forceful drumming, thick bass lines and Scott Holmes’ distinct synth for much ambience, while Side B begins with the lush and moody layers of the intimate “When The Aspens Turn.”

The final three songs are equally great. Greg Svitil’s precise piano makes an appearance on the cinematic and driving pace of “Las Estrellas En Alta” that employs slide guitar, and “Beyond The Sight Lines (Nubes Oscuras)” finds itself in heartfelt areas of gentle harmonics before the density and dissonant qualities enter.

“Kairos” exits and uses backing vocals and psychedelia across the exploration and sophistication that unfolds with an atypical warmth.

Describing Blackout Transmission's sound is no easy task. Somewhere in between dream-wave, retro post-punk, neo-psychedelia, mature alt-rock, UK nods, dark-pop and post-rock, every moment here is inviting, mesmerizing and engaging. Their move from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles to the desert setting of the Mountain West sure has influenced their craft, and you won't hear me complaining about that one bit.

In a word, perfect.

Rating: A

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