Menomena + The Helio Sequence + Pattern Is Movement

A lot of fuss has been made over the way Menomena records its albums—particularly the Portland, OR, combo’s usage of a digital looping program nicknamed the Deeler, which band member Brent Knopf invented. Since the release of 2010's revered Mines, Knopf left the group; Last year's Moms marked the band's first release as a duo. It's a strong effort that still sounds uniquely Menomena: direct, aggressive and gloriously dark. There's nicely matched support here too, from the Sub Pop–signed Helio Sequence, which summons a formidable wave of sound for a two-piece.