BØRNS - Blue Madonna (2018) [Vinyl]

Three years after the release of his masterful debut, Michigan native BØRNS returned with his sophomore effort, Blue Madonna. Joined once again by producer Tommy English, BØRNS takes a few steps away from Dopamine's direct, pop-savvy approach, opting for an expansive, atmospheric experience that allows his ideas a little space to wander. While the results are not as immediate as Dopamine (which was a straight shot to the pleasure zone), Blue Madonna is ultimately a more rewarding journey that unveils itself with repeat listens. On the opening track "God Save Our Young Blood," BØRNS pairs with his spiritual counterpart, Lana Del Rey. Upon first listen, their delivery is a tad precious and cloying, yet once its lush tendrils snake their way under the skin, the track becomes an irresistible gem. The same goes for much of the album. With chemically-induced and youthful abandon, Blue Madonna cruises along a coastal California soundscape, trading much of Dopamine's glam-rock bombast for sunny, blissful warmth. While "Faded Heart" and the rollicking "We Don't Care" are the rowdiest of the bunch, they don't distract from the overall psychedelic chill of Blue Madonna. "Sweet Dreams" sparkles; the '80s new wave-inspired "Man" seduces; and "Bye-bye Darling" melds Elton John and the Beatles with charming purity. The Auto-Tuned yearning of "I Don't Want U Back" could have been another Del Rey duet, but "Blue Madonna" is the one that gets that honor, a languid comedown that features her on uncredited backing vocals. The album's highlights arrive unexpectedly toward the finish. After the breathy "Tension (Interlude)" gently disco-dances its way into the sunset, "Supernatural" shimmers to life with a hypnotic beauty similar to something from Tame Impala's Currents era. Persian musician Armen Ra incorporates an ethereal Theremin break before BØRNS' big, string-drenched finale, unlike anything the singer has done to date. Exploring new directions with experimental confidence, an ever-playful BØRNS takes the necessary steps in artistic maturation on Blue Madonna, a worthy and satisfying follow-up for the mischievous Lothario. © Neil Z. Yeung