(DFA)

He left The Blow to go it alone, but it seems that Jona Bechtolt just can’t keep away from coupledom. The Portland, Oregon-based lo-fi quirkpop pioneer has invited Claire L Evans to turn Yacht into a duo, and the outfit sounds all the better for it as this second offering is one of 2009’s most unique and exquisitely crafted listens. Built around a random selection of cut ‘n’ pasted samples, infectious melodies, squelchy electronics, squeaks and playful beats, See Mystery Lights trickles its way into your consciousness from the get-go. It’s clever, sweet and seductively odd: no wonder Bechtolt didn’t stay solo for long.