múm's child-like innocence grows up a bit, with a slightly rowdier, more full-bodied sound on their fourth album. It's been three years and a significant lineup shift since their last album, and while they still connect with that sound, Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy is made of a a more flexible and complex substance. In that time, the old weightless aesthetic became a more versatile body of motion.
With two if its founding members assuming the vast majority of control over the album, the group's nonstop energy is far less shrouded by fragility. The first track, "Blessed Brambles" has a quick-tapping rhythm with an array of metallic noises holding up a soft male/female vocal harmony. It might be thin, but with so many supporting sounds, it's difficult to break apart. "These Eyes Are Berries" has the shimmering quality of a fresh snow, with the quirkiness of a holiday flirt. "Moon Pulls" strips away the erratic density for a near-empty, but gorgeous piano-based track. "Dancing Behind My Eyelids" features a level of organic electronics with a pace that's rare for the group.
The time off between this and the last album didn't erode any of the qualities that made múm so intriguing. Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy isn't as delicate than previous releases, but replaces that charm with even more of their brilliant, signature intricacy.
