Despite a title that suggests they’re embracing their inner degenerate, the fourth album from Atlanta’s Microwave – the band’s first in five years – is anything but a riotous affair. Having taken their time in crafting their next move, the trio have returned a more thoughtful and contemplative proposition, armed with a 10-track collection of mellow songs that fall somewhere between shoegazy emo and ambient indie-pop. Portals – sung by frontman Nathan Hardy’s girlfriend – opens proceedings with some beautiful, hymn-like vocal melodies which set the serene stage in which Let’s Start Degeneracy plays out. There’s plenty of ambient indie/alt-pop fare on display across this record, the best of which – Ferrari and, particularly, Straw Hat – ooze melody and charm. T...
