Improving at light speed

After powering the short-lived, much buzzed-about U.K. dance thrashers Test Icicles, Devonte Hynes embraced his Americana roots on his debut “Falling off the Lavender Bridge” under the Lightspeed Champion moniker.

While that Mike Mogis-produced effort fit nicely into the Saddle Creek arena of mope, Hynes’ latest, “Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You” is more dynamic and experimental.

The first single “Marlene” twinkles and twangs along until Hynes cries out “Stop being cool.” Other tracks see Hynes continue his hipster weeping, as he repeats “Kill me baby / Won’t ya kill me” on “Madame Van Damme” and whines about a boy-kissing slut on “Faculty of Fears.” Yet, the mix of guitar riffing, string arrangements and a slew of other layers make the efforts damn stellar.

The toggling between guitar-powered baroque groovers and key-tinged odes creates an off-balance feeling throughout “Life Is Sweet!” but because nearly every track is a wonderful, singular experience, the uneven flow is a moot point.