2000’s Red Letters was seen by some fans as a slight retreat for Edward Ka-Spel’s solo work to the predominantly synth days, but in ways it’s more of a perfection of the form, with a hint of near lo-fi murk at points but deployed as a stylistic point offset elsewhere even in the same song. One of his more serene-sounding releases, though with the sense of unsettled feelings contemporary Legendary Pink Dots was also hinting at, Red Letters is centered on understated performances and lyrics, as songs like “Red Rocks” and “Belief On a Breeze” demonstrate.

– Ned Raggett