So Princess Zelda doesn’t get saved by Link. She starts fighting her own battles, but finds that orchestral indie rock is more her speed, so she forms YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN. Okay, not the case, but this Montreal/Toronto space machine delivers another brilliant rock opera with <i>UZU</i>. The theatrical female vocals blend with insane guitar/piano/electronics and it’s all very big sounding, almost intimidating. From the opening pieces (“Atalanta” and “Whalesong”) to the exceptional beauty of the two part “Seasickness”, it’s a dark twisted fantasy that the cool kids and the cave dwellers don’t have to argue over, though they likely will. Not surprisingly, closer “Saturn’s Return” is as delicate as anything in indie pop, hitting home the idea that a concept record has never been equal parts pretentious and precious while being so overall diversly enjoyable.

Published in Volume 68, Number 7 of The Uniter (October 16, 2013)