Ms. John Soda’s not the most reliable German electro twee-pop group out there, but when the band shows up, it comes to play. For Loom, their third record in 13 years and first since 2006’s Notes And The Like, Stefanie Böhm and Micha Acher have expanded their ranks with a drummer and a multi-instrumentalist, but end up sounding as minimalist as ever. And that’s a good thing, of course. Böhm’s hot, droney vocals remain Ms. John Soda’s most alluring aspect, always whooshing sibilantly over gentle beats and dulcimer melodies. “Sodawaltz” and “The Light” sound like something you’d hear in some freeware Portal mod. “In My Arms” and “Hero Whales” are gorgeous and dancey like vintage Kitty Craft. “Hi Fool” and “Oh Seven” are the oddball hits you wanna play all day.
—Patrick Rapa
