Wherein Cocteau Twins find success across the pond. Blue Bell Knoll was the first of the group’s records to be given an American release, and the album itself sounds like a band stepping up their game to prove themselves to a wider audience.

Now with a new drummer after the percussionless Victorialand, Blue Bell Knoll doesn’t sound entirely unlike 1984’s Treasure, though refined. The production on the drums relies much less on gated reverbs (which made it sound so clearly like 1984), and the lessons in soundscaping they picked up on Victorialand are well used here.

Every song is lush and captivating–but none more so than the opening track with its staccato synth-harpsichord line and heart-breaking vocal crescendos. This isn’t just dream pop: it’s the textbook.