MOG Editorial Review

When vocalist Tyondai Braxton left the band between albums, few knew what to expect from math-rockers Battles, but the answer came in the form of Gloss Drop, which added summery funk vibes to their precise rock sound. Employing guest vocalists like the legendary Gary Numan and electronica star Matias Aguayo, Battles show that Braxton's departure has only made them stronger, adding a groovy set of keys to jams like "Futura." Meanwhile, the Aguayo-featuring "Ice Cream" is the first time they've made a bona fide dance track, and other songs like "Wall Streeet" come close to achieving the feat as well. All the while, Battles remind us why we became fans of theirs in the first place, showcasing a level of technical skill you'll seldom find anywhere else, but the big difference here is that they're visibly having fun, which is good news for them... and us!