Kelly Lee Owens
' second album switches styles and moods as much as her acclaimed 2017 debut did, flipping from downtempo dream pop to spacy techno with ease. None of her clubby solo singles (or her starry
Jon Hopkins
collaboration) released between 2017 and 2019 are present, and while they could potentially fit on the album, the tracks that are present feel more introspective. Even the opening instrumental, an electronic interpretation of
Radiohead
's "Arpeggi," seems like an idea that's been burrowing in her heart for a long while before she finally set it to tape. "On" starts out as a breezy, drifting tune about moving on before a gliding techno beat takes over. A few other tracks are more dramatic synth pop ballads, such as the lush, confessional "L.I.N.E." (love is not enough), the hazy trip-hop of "Re-Wild," and the wistful but empowering "Wake-Up." "Corner of My Sky" is the record's most spaced-out excursion, with guest
John Cale
providing poetic reminiscence in English and Welsh over slowly expanding synths. The album's most playful beat-driven track is "Melt!," a gorgeous, shimmering techno song that creatively incorporates samples of ice-skating and melting glacial ice, intended as a musical commentary on the issue of climate change. The stargazing "Jeanette" is more intense, recalling progressive house at its most cosmic, while "Night"'s synths are more reserved, allowing room for
Owens
' ethereal chant "it feels so good to be in love." Like her debut,
Inner Song
covers a lot of emotional ground, and her exploratory spirit is just as captivating as the messages she expresses. ~ Paul Simpson