This may seem odd to many people, but seeing as how we here at XLR8R HQ deal with the constant inundation of MP3 streams and downloads, most of which can squeeze easily between three and five minutes, it’s quite out of the ordinary for us to offer our readers the first sounds to be heard from Gang Gang Dance‘s forthcoming fifth studio LP, Eye Contact (out May 10 via 4AD, pictured above), in the form of its 11-plus-minute opening track, “Glass Jar,” which you can now stream, below. The quintet builds its song ever so slowly and from nothing but a voice that confoundingly states, “I can hear everything. It’s everything time.” Continuing on, the man speaks unintelligibly underneath a growing swell of woozy synth tones, washes of pattering cymbals, understated piano melodies, and other handcrafted atmospheres—allowing “Glass Jar” to waft inside of its self-imposed receptacle for over four minutes before breaking out into full song once the pulsing rhythm section and Lizzie Bougatsos’ inimitable voice usher it in. Gang Gang Dance continues to go through multiple movements within its epic first track, and effectively create one of the most ambitious and exciting introductions heard of late, which is all too appropriate for an album that is likely to stand as a consistent list-topper come 2011’s end.

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