Product Description After exploring their creative impulses throughstrings, horns, pianos, and varied folk influences,Mi and L au decided to venture into a newer, moreelectric environment on their newest record. IfBeauty is a Crime doesn t feature a single guitar.In fact, you won t find a traditional instrumentanywhere on it. The simple, stripped-down sound forwhich they ve become so well known is transformedon this latest album, shaped unexpectedly bycircuits, programs, and mechanical processes.But, along with Mira and Laurent s redefinedapproach, something familiar found its wayinto their music. While making the album, bothmusicians noticed the specter of familiar melodiesand rhythms haunting their work; the inspirationwasn t from a specific song or melodic line, butfrom a mood or an idea buried somewhere inthe past. As they investigated this anomalousinfluence, they uncovered a shared memory of filmsenjoyed during childhood, specifically those scoredby French composer François de Roubaix.Responsible for the music in well over 30 films, deRoubaix was known for his use of synthesizers anddrum machines, and for his use of folk elements.The connection between his work and their currentendeavor was obvious. Subsequently, Mi and L auimmersed themselves in his music even as theycontinued to produce their own. Whether by fate orby coincidence, de Roubaix s music found its wayinto their lives just as they were beginning to explorewhat electronic sounds could do for them. So, in theend, they dedicated If Beauty is a Crime to François.Through their newly discovered electronic voicesomething older and more familiar sounded out, andthe result is a stunning fusion of ideas and feelingsthat completely redefines Mi and L au s sound. Review Enchanted, stripped-down, hermetic cabaret-pop. --PitchforkRefreshingly singular. --Yorkshire Evening PostRefreshingly singular. --Yorkshire Evening Post