Moby Ends His Night On A Down Note

Our look at the closing lines of the week’s biggest new-music reviews continues with a roundup of reactions to Wait For Me, the ninth studio album by the journalist-assisting musician Moby: • “Other than ‘Mistake’—a glum neo-post-punk rave-up that, despite its cathartic release, remains downcast—Moby leaves the vocals to a series of females (neighborhood chums, apparently) who each contribute to one song. The smoky 3-a.m. gospel whispers from throwback soul singer Leela James on ‘Walk with Me’ steal the show.” [Andy Kellman, All Music Guide] • “The mood is somber, mournful, and at times, downright postapocalyptic. But the best of these ambient orchestrations, gurgling uncomplicated beats, and scattered vocals add up to something emotionally wrought, even transporting.” [David Peisner, Spin] • “Wait for Me is persistent in humility and dismissive of grandeur, often preferring sedate exposition to the usual club-conquering anthems. It’s not the most daring choice of experimentation, but for an artist as commercially minded as Moby, it remains refreshing nonetheless.” [Kevin Liedel, Slant] • “It was easy to forget how luscious and dazzling Moby records could be. And while Wait for Me is a sort of distillation of everything he has done before, it also contains, in its title track, a piece of music to remind you why Moby mattered in the first place.” [Simmy Richman, Independent]