Two years after a first unexpected masterpiece, Cabinet of Curiosities, the Dutchman lysergic made his comeback with following the return of the same. And one does not complain, he is so nice to hear again a reincarnation of Syd Barrett 67 explore a vintage world, dreamlike sounds through contines wobbly, tinted nostalgia. For Hypnohobia sounds exactly like Cabinet, except for a few choruses a little more worked here and there. The ingredients have not changed: bass narrow, chugging drums, Farfisa and Wurlitzer plastic spree, accompanied chiseled guitar arpeggios, overflown by white voices. The all expertly marinated in a saturated atmosphere of reverb to the old. The melodies are still remarkably catchy, anything less surprising (obviously) as the first album of the young Dutchman. But here's the rub a bit though, is when you realize that in the second piece we entitled to a rather banal instrumental (Grey Lanes). As if Gardner was reluctant from the outset between a songbook and a soundtrack to film green with time. For me it is hard to excuse slump. While the first title with hints of retro single, Another You, seemed to promise a new high flying disc, this "background music" (I'm bad, I know) sharply reduces everything to the rank of simple demonstration or sterile copy . Suffice to say that afterwards, the rest of the album does not listen to the same ear. Well, do not get me wrong, Hypnophobia is "almost" as good as Cabinet of Curiosities. It is therefore extremely pleasant to listen. But it is certainly not the best ... and it actually provides very little new compared to what we already knew. I am convinced that Gardner has too much talent not to react and redirect its course. For a third album in this vein could condemn irretrievably purgatory of branchouilles playlists of France Inter and fashionable charts Inrocks. And he deserves better than that. US too.
