Enon – High Society
(Touch & Go)

It might not happen the first time you hear Enon. It might not even happen the second time. But sooner or later, if you continue to listen, it will suddenly hit you: this band kicks ass.

What started off as a low key collaboration between John Schmersal (formerly of Brainiac) and Skeleton Key members Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon, has quickly evolved into one of the more eclectic and exciting musical experiments this side of the Flaming Lips. While their first full-length release, Believo, was more of a lo-fi indie rock experience, the new record High Society has introduced a futuristic pop sensibility that takes their music to a whole other level of addictiveness.

The new dimension in Enon’s sound seems to be mostly a result of adding Toko Yasuda, formerly of Blonde Redhead and The Lapse, to the band. Her cute female vocals mix beautifully with Schmersal’s alternately high-pitched and gutteral yelps.

High Society presents several distinct songwriting styles, all wrapped up in one colourful little package. Most of the songs on which Yasuda sings are danceable synth pop numbers that meet somewhere along the lines of Devo, bis and Cibo Matto. Songs like “In This City” and “Disposable Parts” are guaranteed to get your body moving one way or another.

One the other hand, there are a number of straight-ahead big rock songs lead by Schmersal’s crunchy guitar riffs and unpredictable vocal delivery. “Old Dominion” sounds like it could pass for a demented Weezer song, while “Pleasure and Privilege” is the closest Enon come to recalling the spasmodic freak-out rock of Schmersal’s old band Brainiac. The album’s single, “Carbonation”, is the culmination of mixing both synth pop and rock styles, and it finds Schmersal and Yasuda sharing vocal duties over fuzzy guitars and synthesized pops and crackles.

But wait, there’s more! The unforgettable “Native Numb”, features a creepy distorted bass and vocal backdrop complimented by erratic guitar and electronic melodies, while the album’s title track is a sombre ballad that feels more like something left over from Believo.

Does this mixture of musical styles have you intrigued yet? It should, because High Society is one of the most innovative yet listenable albums to come out this year. It is bizarre and challenging but smoothed over with pop hooks that will leave your head spinning. While High Society may be more accessible than Believo, it is in no way less satisfying to listen to.

This is one band I will be following closely in the future. Who knows what kind of ingenious recordings they will come up with next? I can only hope it it will be something remotely as enjoyable as High Society. — Sean