Matthew and the Arrogant Sea: Family Family Family Meets the Magic Christian

A modest debut Whistles, lasers, bubbles, programmed blips, Bronx cheers and jittery strings adorn this Texas troupe’s first full-length—but quirks can’t always supply substance to feathery acoustic strums. Still, there’s upwelling evidence here of capable symphonic blends: Opener “Within the Universe” spills over with joyful noisemaking and affirmations of friends (including aliens); “Negro Jewish” showcases ambient, melodic cycles that layer into progressively darker soundsca...

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