Having read Miki Berenyi's riveting autobiography, I wonder what the musician will think when so many reviewers compare her new group to her old one? It's inevitable, I think. The opening track on Tripla, the debut from Miki Berenyi Trio, sounds so much like late Lush that it's sort of eerie. There's loads here that doesn't quite as much, but this music is clearly a continuation of a certain style Miki perfected a few decades ago.
Joined by KJ "Moose" McKillop and Oliver Cherer, Berenyi crafts tunes here which charm enormously. From the Lovelife-y "8th Deadly Sin", and on to the Spooky-ish "Kinch", the most delightful parts of Miki's legacy continue to inform her approach. In other words, if you were a fan of anything Lush did, you'll likely find this record one that's easy to embrace. For those who were fans of Berenyi's previous outfit, Piroshka, the sound here is more airy and slightly more pop. Ever tuneful, the former Lush musician still has a truly magical way with a tune.
Tripla, mixed by Paul Gregory (Lanterns on the Lake), has a breezy vibe, one which seems perfectly suited to Berenyi's soprano. Tunes like "Vertigo" nearly float away, the textures on at least a couple of these cuts, like "A Different Girl", so very close to the first recordings from Lush. For those selections without a sharp hook, the mood is what makes things work. For the others where there's a riff or bright melodic twist, it's a combination of energy and volume that keeps things moving ever forward. There are tunes here more memorable than others, but no duds. Tripla is as close as we're going to get to a new Lush album, and that's fine by me. I only hope that Miki Berenyi is not sick of being compared to her younger self in reviews.
Tripla by Miki Berenyi Trio is out this week via Bella Union.
[Photo: Abbey Raymonde]