Pitchfork

We are not in a musical era that necessitates castrati-like, diva-esque, or operatic vocals to achieve beauty. The Microphones' Phil Elvrum frequently displays pubescent boy vocal fluctuations; Grandaddy's Jason Lytle achieves a distinct 14-year-old Neil Young approximation; and Sigur Rós frontman Jon Thor Birgisson possesses a howl oddly similar to that of Taxi character Simka, mixed with just a touch of Teletubby. None of these vocalists sound classically trained, yet all occasionally hit upon moments of transcendent sublimity. Blonde Redhead co-vocalist Kazu Makino does as well. On "Eqvvs", the closing track of the spring-released Misery Is a Butterfly, Makino elevates what is essentially a not-terrific song on the strength of her exotic and wonderfully childlike cords.

Dueling picked electric guitars, aided by a bassline stylistically reminiscent of early Talk Talk, make up the somewhat-too-cleanly-produced introduction of "Eqvvs". Five times through the intro's chord progression, Makino's voice squeals out the chorus above the music, pleading, "Allow me to show you/ In which the way I adore you." Her lyric, repeated several times throughout the track, is accompanied by a mimicking, punchy lead guitar riff and jittery tambourine. Following the choruses, a short verse containing a gorgeous melody with equally beautiful harmonizing overdubs, allows Makino to establish her role as the soul behind the song's stature. Without her vocals and the well-placed, synthesizer-embedded bridge, "Eqvvs" would likely feel slightly laborious. However, with Makino at the helm, Blonde Redhead have manufactured a passable second single, as well as a solid album closer.