Real Estate have never been ones for taking giant leaps. Not for them any sudden changes in genre, double gatefold concept albums or other signifiers of a band wanting to “expand their horizons”. Instead, the New Jersey outfit’s career to date has been one of subtle shifts, quietly refining their pastoral indie-rock over the course of three albums. At a time when the genre is receiving criticism for its relative timidity, such steadfastness might seem like a strangely risky move. But, as fourth album In Mind shows, this is a band who are aware of where their talents lie and are happy to stick to them; there aren’t many, you suspect, who could match Serve the Song’s iridescent jangle or the sun-dappled psych of Stained Glass. The moments of experimentation, when they come, are brief and understated: a frayed synth line on album standout Darling, a smoky burst of reverb on the droning jam session Two Arrows. But, for the most part, this is an album that maintains Real Estate’s status as indie’s model of consistency.
