Miki Berenyi Trio : Tripla

Lush were one of the big ones in terms of late 80s/early 90s shoegaze bands. Along with Ride, Chapterhouse, Slowdive, Swervedriver and My Bloody Valentine, Lush established their hazy, dreamy, and ghostly sound through delayed guitars, ghostly vocals, and guitarist/singer Miki Berenyi’s delivery. Berenyi’s vocals were clear, but always just a bit under the mix, giving the songs a kind of eerie quality. With fellow singer/guitarist Emma Anderson’s harmonies layered with Miki Berenyi’s Lush stood out in the shoegaze scene as singular.

After Lush’ breakup in 1998 Miki Berenyi worked on a lot of one-off projects and collaborations(including with members of Cocteau Twins, Moose, and The Rentals. The Miki Berenyi Trio was formed with Berenyi’s partner, and the band was signed to Bella Union(owned and run by Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde.) And we now have their debut album titled Tripla. Berenyi’s new project can’t help but be compared to Lush, as those ghostly vocals and harmonies remain, but with a more electronic feel(drums are courtesy a drum machine.) Tripla is a welcome return of one of shoegaze/alternative music’s singular voices.

Album opener “8th Deadly Sin” sits in sort of an odd pocket. The electronic drums sound a bit dated, while the melodies feel a bit bland. Yet it does have a bit of that Lush magic in there. When “Kinch” starts up shortly after it’s like a breath of fresh air. The melancholy mood returns with some truly beautiful vocals. Fans of Lush, rejoice. Miki Berenyi sounds as if no time as passed since the early days of 90s college/alternative music.

Elsewhere “Vertigo” emanates longing in electronic swirls and contemplative vocals. “A Different Girl” shines in lush(no pun intended), delayed guitars and percussive touches. It has bits of Cure magic thrown in there. “Big I Am” savors the party vibe with an almost disco rhythm and blows up in crunchy guitar tones as the song carries on. “Ubique” ends on a triumphant and nearly symphonic note. A perfect closer.

Miki Berenyi Trio’s Tripla is a great record. Berenyi sounds wonderful for being out of the business of songwriting for so long. It may not reach the heights of Lush’ glory days, but it’s a fantastic record nonetheless.