The Books - The Way Out

The starting point for an appreciation of New York's ingenius The Books is simply the fact that no one is making music quite like Paul de Jong and Nick Zammuto. The nexus of their quietly adventurous fourth album -- the wonderfully titled The Way Out (July 20) and their first in five years -- lies at the intersection of odd ambient soundscapes and mesmerizing, minimalist folk, a description that unfortunately belies The Books' playful musical sensibilities. The result is smart and a tad cerebral (and you'll shake your head in wonder at the sounds emanating from your speakers) but it is also, undeniably, a brilliant adventure in the creative possibilities of modern pop music. Kings of Convenience holding Eno-matic court in Steve Reich-land? Forgive us.

"Hello and welcome to a new beginning" greets you as the new album kicks off,  de Jong and Zammuto tossing in a kitchen sink's worth of plucked, percolating rhythms -- the backbone of their music, in many respects -- laying the sonic groundwork for a frothy concoction of electronic layers, wandering through ever winding patterns of guitar and cello and time patterns that would make a jazz drummer's head spin. Lead track "Beautiful People" features a poly-rhythmic bed, chanting harmonies scattered among the brass flourishes and tape loops, an intricate, rich soufflé of glossy art pop. The answer to "heard anything new and interesting lately?" Highly recommended.

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The Books - "Beautiful People" (from the album The Way Out)

The Books - "Cello Song" (Nick Drake cover featuring Jose Gonzalez) (from the compilation Dark Was the Night)