Bear In Heaven: I Love You, It’s Cool

It take a few listens before the hidden allure of Bear In Heaven’s third album, I Love You, It’s Cool, reveals itself - unlike 2009’s Beast Rest Forth Mouth, which was immediately arresting. “Idle Heart” opens with a clear and full-bodied presence. Rhythm and ambiance gel in sophisticated and catchy yet mellow pop cuts imbued with the lingering sentiment that a man can feel when coming face-to-face with an ex. There are plenty of up-tempo art-funk gems here, but the group is best when it lets the synthesizer drive. “The Reflection of You,” “Sinful Nature,” and “Kiss Me Crazy” contain all the characteristics that have made Bear In Heaven such an electronic/experimental pop anomaly, while proving one thing: The group has simply gotten better at what it does. I Love You, It’s Cool may not posses the gritty cohesion of its predecessor, but when taken as a whole, I Love You, It’s Cool is the finest album these Atlanta expats have offered up thus far. (4 out of 5 stars)