Music to enjoy loneliness to

On their latest record, Ylajali, Danish duo Syntaks create a lush pop dreamscape, with tracks that glide effortlessly between sexiness, excitement, doom, and far-away spaciness. They’re songs that wholly engage the listener’s mind and heart.  It’s an impressive showing for a band who up to this point have been making fairly indulgent European IDM. Ylajali features the largely wordless wailing of new full-time member Anna Cecili, which adds a layer of spooky loneliness to a record that already sounds like floating alone in outer space. The largely instrumental tracks, featuring high synth chords, bells, and ghostly guitars, also wouldn’t sound out of place playing behind the robed “dudes” in Bill & Ted’s future. It’s music that’s perfect for rocket rides to Mars, staring at the rain while in bed with someone you love, or any other time you’re feeling soaringly sad.