Always Returning

The instrumental version of Engineers’ fourth album, their second with synth musician Ulrich Schnauss, featured ten tracks of meandering dream pop and synthgaze. While the original release complete with vocals was well received, the instrumental version offers a different listening experience, where the emotional thrust comes only from chords, melody, timbre and texture, rather than the lyrics or vocal performance. Innsbruck and Smoke and Mirrors were both instrumentals on the original release and the sensitive playing on the former and expert melding of organic and electronic instruments on the latter cleary demonstrate how well their aesthetic works without vocals. The instrumental format also allows more listening room to catch little musical moments of intimacy, or to simply admire the expansive and emotive programming on Always Returning and the artfully assembled elements that make up the airy, dreamlike drift of Drive Your Car. A smooth, sleek, eminently comfortable cross-pollination.