If Brian Wilson penned teenage symphonies to God, Mississippi marvel Dent May writes cosmic anthems for the Snapchat age. The modern themes on Across The Multiverse, his fourth album, are set against whip-smart melodies that showcase May’s omnivorous approach to pop music. The fussy, old-timey spirits of Randy Newman and Van Dyke Parks shine through on “90210” and the morbidly witty “I’m Gonna Live Forever Until I’m Dead.” There’s even a bit of Jens Lekman’s tropical disco on the Frankie Cosmos-featuring title track. Most of all, Across The Multiverse sounds unequivocally like Dent May. Little ear-perking touches, like the dial-up modem at the beginning of “Picture On A Screen” and the starry-eyed harmonies on “A Little Bit Goes A Long Way” and “Don’t Let Them” have quickly become signatures. A collection that’s at once futuristic and timeless, Across The Multiverse is sure to wow friends, family and followers alike.
—Eric Schuman
