Battles Return More Powerful Than Ever on 'Gloss Drop'

Battles are finally set to return later this year with the long-awaited follow-up to their 2007 debut, 'Mirrors.'

The math-rock pioneers are set to release 'Gloss Drop' through Warp Records on June 6. The trio are also due to to play an intimate, sold-out date at London's ICA next month before returning to the UK in June to play further shows and festivals.

At a playback in London on Monday, March 7, Spinner heard a record that sounded even more powerful than its predecessor, with John Stanier's emphatic drumming well to the fore. Certainly, the band keep the momentum going longer than on 'Mirrors.' Gone are the treated, Smurf-like vocals of that album, replaced by a succession of guest vocalists.

Most notable is an appearance by Gary Numan, with other slots filled by Blonde Redhead singer Kazu Makino and a more leftfield choice -- the quirky Chilean-born, German-raised and Kompakt-signed electronica artist Matias Aguayo. 'Gloss Drop' closes with a typically deranged performance from Boredoms founder Yamantaka Eye.

In an interview with Pitchfork last month, the band's Dave Konopka explained the guest appearances happened after band member Tyondai Braxton left the group. He said, "There was a lot of new space to work with but the album is still crazy -- it doesn't sound like we're a three-piece. It also opened up a lot of doors for us to collaborate with some really great vocalists."

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