Where Did the Night Fall

James Lavelle and his ever-morphing UNKLE may have hit paydirt with Where Did the Night Fall. After moving to a harder, rockier vibe on War Stories, Lavelle opts to keep the guitars, but puts trip-hoppy moods, dance-worthy beats and atmospheric synths in the driver’s seat. His partnership with Pablo Clements feels sure-footed and comfortable, and though the music has the flavor and color of many different hands, there’s an improved consistency and focus here. The dreamy tones (“Ever Rest,” “Another Night Out”) partner neatly with the more exuberant (the urgent “Follow Me Down,” the dark “On A Wire”), as well as the lysergically flavored (“Falling Stars,” “The Healing”). Swaggering guitars, swelling strings and persuasive percussion are the dressings on outstanding vocal performances (particularly Rachel Fannan of Sleepy Sun, the chorus-like vocals of Big In Japan, and the soft soul of Joel Cadbury). The most raucous, joyful, infectious track, “Natural Selection” (featuring the Black Angels), is hard to leave behind; you’ll want to hear the tune’s lilting, psych-rock riffs just one more time (again and again).