"Skying" brings The Horrors even further into potential breakthrough territory. I don't mean breakthrough as in toward breaking through into producing good music because I believe they've been doing that since "Primary Colours". I mean breaking through into somewhat mainstream musical recognition. Less Jesus and the Mary Chain type feedback and more electronic textures. More harmony than disharmony. Maybe even a little poppy. This is immediately evident on the opening track, "Changing the Rain".
The first few tracks are enjoyable but guitar-less, synth-pop, but about two minutes into "Endless Blue" the loud guitars listeners are used to hearing return with ambush-like attack. Additionally, on "Monica Gems" the guitar starts in right away, including the old shoe-gaze tremolo that used to be so common. However, these moments are rare and the majority of the music is accomplished by synth, bass, and drum with guitars as merely a texture or an accompaniment than a lead melody.
With the uptick in the casual consumption of electronic music (see little kids listening to Passion Pit, bros into dubstep etc.) The Horrors may reach a new demographic with this record. People who like The Big Pink or other next gen shoe-gaze acts will get a lot out of "Skying" too. It's an interesting direction and a decent album but hopefully there's a little more fury on their next LP.
Grade: B
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