Miaou's career has always revolved around melody and experimentation, at times drawing a distinct line between the two, and at others mixing them with great success. Even though their latest offering, All Around Us, appears to share a lot in common with the title of Tortoise's It's All Around You, there's not a whole lot of sonic overlap between the two discs. What the Japanese trio does have in common with Chicago's legendary post-rock band is that of fusion. Miaou swallows a large array of influences -- some musical in nature, others not -- and fashions it into a unique sound, one which most definitely represents the way that this band sees the world. While melody does play a large role in this album, it is a less innocent kind than seen on its predecessor; apparently sounds have matured and are now beginning to reach for the stars. Blissful.