Caribou

Swim CitySlang ****

Canadian producer Dan Snaith's earlier releases as Manitoba were something to behold. Albums such as Start Breaking My Heartand Up in Flamescaught him fusing disparate sounds with considerable panache.

Between then and now, legal shenanigans necessitated a name-change, but Snaith's focus has always remained on perfecting the blend. Swim is a further step in that direction. Deep, warm, lush and enticing, the tracks here exude a strident, defiant, almost cocky belief in its creator's abilities. As he shimmies away in the midst of some hugely engaging and sophisticated grooves, Snaith is quite happy to take the more scenic and less travelled routes to get to his destination. Odessa's off-kilter rips or the greasy stings on Kailiprovide ample evidence of how successful this approach can be in the right hands. A beautifully trippy affair. See myspace.com/cariboumanitoba

Download tracks: Odessa, Kaili