Muuy Biien - Age of Uncertainty (2016)

Georgian post-punks Muuy Biien burrow deeper into shadowy minimalism on Age of Uncertainty, the Athens-based band's third full-length. Produced by former Sugar member David Barbe, the album follows a trend begun on 2014's D.Y.I., which saw the former hardcore-inspired act scale back their sound, opening up space where darker tones could lurk. Smatterings of high piano haunt the sparse central riff of "Bitter Blessings" while frontman Joshua Evans channels the cool tones of Love & Rockets' David J in his distorted vocal delivery. Stunted dub elements bounce around the edges of the equally sparse, sax-assisted "Another Chore," painting a moody, but engaging scene. Other tracks, like the witchy instrumental "The Sound of a Trenchcoat" and the droning title cut, add to the noir feel that soaks through most of Age of Uncertainty. Muuy Biien have a natural way with this aesthetic and Evans' strong song constructions support their appealing after-midnight vibe on this excellent third effort.