Mazes are one of a handful of acts that form part of the 90s- worshipping lo-fi resurgence this country has witnessed over the past few years, alongside the likes of Male Bonding and Yuck. Their debut A Thousand Heys was released in 2011 to a modest fanfare even if it was overlooked by the end of year lists. But for their second outing, the trio have forgone their lo-fi credentials in favour of more experimental territory.
The first thing that is apparent about opening track Bodies is the glossier production with some smoothly processed drum beats that draw the listener in over an impressive seven minutes. Following this, Dan Higgs Particle stays true to their earlier indie rock sound with laid-back guitars that unknot the body and soul . With the eponymous track Ores & Minerals, the opening beats reverberate with a cave-like resonance, moving to a sound reminiscent of Django Django, shredding over minimalist beats with a hypnotic chorus and riff to complete the trip.
Perhaps the most frustrating track comes in the form of Bite, whose catchy opening with overlaying guitars promises great things but never actually takes flight. However, there is a standout to be found in Skulking, a delightfully fuzzy tune yielding strangulated cries of ‘Animals’ and finishing with a blazing, trance-inducing solo. The Americana- flavoured Sucker Punched also adds a very promising touch recalling the 70s influences that can be found throughout this album.
Despite some faults, Mazes have delivered a welcome follow up, and if the standout tracks had been condensed to an EP, they might have had an even greater impact. The band does still seem to be finding a way towards a sound they feel comfortable with, but for the moment they have moved away from their lo-fi beginnings to experiment with a much smoother production.
Rating: 
https://soundcloud.com/fatcatrecords/mazes-bodies
