Yep Roc

Set in an abstract future past, The Apples in Stereo wander further afield, among crop circles, ‘80s synths and an early ‘70s meets the Aughts penchant for “whatever turns you on, dude.” But there is a powerful heart beating inside the cleverly addictive pop tunes. Robert Schneider is the lone remaining original Apple, and he seems determined to keep the collective focused on eccentric ear candy. “The Code” beckons the listener on some mysterious Lost-like escapade. “No One in the World,” owes as much a debt to Jeff Lynne’s ELO as anything else. And “Next Year at the Same Time” says you can get what you want, you just might have to look backward and forward without too much of a weird whiplash effect. Albums like this help us ponder that elusive sensation.