Quilt
Plaza
MEXICAN SUMMER
7/10
Quilt could’ve made another album that recalls ’60s psychedelia, as their 2011 debut did. Even a retread of their great follow-up—2014’s Held in Splendor—would’ve been fine. Luckily for us, though, they seem to thrive on getting to that next level because Plaza is their most sophisticated release yet. First single “Eliot St.” is lush and lovely, and album opener “Passersby” is mesmerizing with its quivering strings intermingling with Anna Fox Rochinski’s soft, strong voice. Plaza is an album of oxymorons: driving yet slow, tight and loose, focused while hazy. These are all compliments; the dull notes on Plaza are few and far between. The songs are sharply crafted, enhanced by lush touches of flute, harp, and grand piano. On Plaza, Quilt doesn’t tread water or waste time. This is an impressive album that only gets better with each listen, as Quilt seems to with each new release.
