Confess

Editors’ Notes If you come to Confess with little or no knowledge of George Lewis Jr.—the man behind the curtain—you may be in for a bit of disorientation. On some levels, Confess fits with the '80s revival of artists like M83, but at its core it's more than a nostalgic homage. Confess is several shades meatier than Twin Shadow's 2010 debut, Forget (which indicated Lewis was on the verge of something very interesting). Here, the synth-driven pop goes deep with a melancholic, emotional pull and evokes a kind of mysterious, sensual allure that borders on celebratory lushness. Lewis' voice on songs like "You Call Me On" and "Be Mine Tonight" evoke the raw, emotional nakedness of Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart. Elsewhere ("Run My Heart," "The One"), Lewis and his arrangements impart the suave certainty of Depeche Mode or INXS. The production vibe is ripe with the wisdom of Peter Gabriel and the control of early, chilly Cure tracks. The single "Five Seconds" is an irrepressible piece of dance-club swagger that's both exultant and exploding with longing. Confess is soulful, sexy, and addictive.