Everlasting in Bloomington, MN

As one half of the musical force behind dream-pop outfit Cocteau Twins, Robin Guthrie helped create heavenly soundscapes that were as haunting as they were lovely. Guthrie's fourth release, 2006's EVERLASTING, finds the producer/writer/guitarist continuing to explore the more atmospheric dimensions of pop music, as layered synths, chiming guitars, and lightly pulsing beats ebb and flow to wonderful effect. All four tracks on EVERLASTING are instrumentals, which occasionally makes one yearn for the angelic, off-kilter voice of Elizabeth Fraser, but at the same time shines the spotlight on Guthrie's conceptual prowess.