Condors

Spacy and insinuating, the London-based trio Nedry unfolds seductive skeins of sound on its debut release, Condors. Matt Parker and Chris Amblin blend programming and instrumental work to create low-throbbing aural landscapes, letting Ayu Okakita’s vocals flit and glide about with Björk-like eeriness. Nedry is adept at filling small spaces with intricate and sometimes conflicting textures, whether the mood is erotic (“A42”), narcotized (“Swan Ocean”), or jittery (the title tune). “Apples & Pears” stands out for its cardiac pulsations, choir-like vocal counterpoints, and otherworldly ambiance. More astringent is “Squid Cat Battle,” an edgy number matching Okakita’s feverish singing with throttled thuds and dreamy murmurs. Perhaps most ambitious is “Four Layers of Pink,” a gleaming shard of icy electronica with an almost classical feel. While these tracks show obvious trip-hop and dubstep influences, the final product is distinctively the trio’s own. The album's overall brooding tone is lightened by an underlying sense of exploration and playfulness.