The proposed shift from orchestral indie chamber pop to synthy electropop spurred Ra Ra Riot cellist Alexandra Lawn’s departure well before its third album, 2013’s decidedly different Beta Love. Perhaps the band was exploring new creative avenues—or perhaps it stalled when attempting to follow the work of late and much lamented drummer/songwriter John Pike—but, if reviews are to be believed, the Ray Kurzweil/Kraftwerk-influenced Beta Love was not quite the answer.
With Need Your Light, RRR may be honing in on the direction it sought two years ago. Returning producer Dennis Herring gives the album a slightly more substantial, deliberate feel, particularly on the darkly joyous “Absolutely” and infectiously melancholy “Call Me Out,” while co-writes with and production by Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij on “Water” and the title track offer a similarly expanded execution. The blend of old and new Ra Ra Riot feels more organic and less forced, indicating that the band has zeroed in on its earlier target.
—Brian Baker
