MMS Concert Preview - Tricky & In The Valley Below at U Hall

Wednesday's show at U Hall brings one of the more interesting tour pairings I've seen recently—English trip-hop pioneer Tricky with Michigan-based dream pop duo In The Valley Below. The peripatetic former member of Massive Attack is back with ununiform, his 13th studio album, described by some in the music press as a return to early career form. Tricky teams up with longtime collaborator Martina Topley-Bird on "When We Die", and the corresponding video is a gritty yet jubilant account of the millions of stories in the naked city.

After years on the road, California-based In The Valley Below decamped to Grand Rapids, Michigan, living and recording in a nearly century-old house. They have a new EP, Elephant, out now on Bright Antenna Records. Their bluesy, gothic take on folk rock is sharper and more insistent on "Bloodhands (Oh My Fever)", their latest single and video. The song is as elaborately arranged and symphonic as the video, inspired by the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, is arch and cinematic. It recalls Cold War Kids' recent collaboration with Bishop Briggs.