While lacking the inspired insanity of Cibo Matto's better moments, the variety is what makes Ecdysis a compelling listen.

Ex-Cibo Matto singer Miho Hatori titled her solo debut Ecdysis, meaning "the shedding of an outer layer of skin." In the spirit of ecdysis, Hatori has tossed the hip-hop flavor that informed her old band (and her part-time gig as Noodle in the imaginary band Gorillaz) for blipping electronics, alternately jazzy and atmospheric instrumental loops, and percussion informed by world music of any and all varieties. While lacking the inspired insanity of Cibo Matto's better moments, the variety is what makes Ecdysis a compelling listen, from the ethereal (the airy title track, the Latin jazz of the closer "Amazona") to the energetic (the samba beats of the two part "Sweet Samsara," the bouncing organ of the single "Barracuda"). When it all comes together, as it does on "A Song for Kids," the lone song in Japanese and not English, is when Hatori's latest musical direction works best. | B

RIYL: Björk, Cibo Matto