We Wish You Well On Your Way to Hell

Album Review

Even from the opening moments, We Wish You Well on Your Way to Hell sets the listener adrift in a sea of swirling synthesizers and dreamy pop. Armed with a sweet weariness, Computer Perfection’s debut album deftly shows off the band’s pedigree (being made up of members of Pas/Cal) while simultaneously reinforcing that they’re a different animal altogether. While both bands are firmly rooted in sugary pop, Computer Perfection’s version feels far more spacious and open, with the band experimenting more with song structure and atmospherics. Tracks like “The Strange Echo, Pt. 1” and “O Your Blue Blood” conjure the Animal Collective’s dense and daring pop sensibilities, with layers of harmony slowing forming and dispersing as the next layer begins to coalesce. Even on more straight-ahead numbers like “How I Won the War” and “Sans Soleil,” the Fridmann-esque synths create a musical equilibrium that allows the songs to feel upbeat while conveying a sense of ennui. It’s this very feeling that gives the album a flowing quality, allowing the listener to gently float from song to song. All of these elements make We Wish You Well on Your Way to Hell a thoroughly enjoyable collection of spacious, headphone-ready sunset pop, and a very promising debut for Computer Perfection.