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On Bitte Orca, the Dirty Projectors’ Domino debut, Dave Longstreth & Co. continue their arc towards accessibility. They’ve always mashed together pop, R&B and the avant-garde, but here they kick out jams that could fit in on some as-yet undiscovered Beyonce and Wagner Go to West Africa album, jams that seem as influenced by Nico as they are by Song of Songs, and jams that are simply good rock tunes. Most of the harsh edges in Longstreth’s vocal delivery have been sanded off, and backup singers Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian step up to take the lead on a few tracks. The orchestral arrangements give the songs more literal, obvious beauty than they ever did on past Projectors albums, never really serving as a challenge but as a pleasant accompaniment. This album is for fans and newcomers who maybe had a hard time swallowing some of the more over-the-top experiments this ever-changing band has produced in the past. Bitte Orca is the pop album the Projectors were always capable of making, boiled down and unencumbered by anything unnecessary. (Travis)