Consistency without consequence

New Jersey band Yo La Tengo has always been one to craft a signature sound and stick with it for a whole album.

On earlier releases such as “Painful” and “I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One,” the sound was heavy, guitar-driven indie rock. And by the sound of its sublime opening track “Ohm,” “Fade” ought to follow the same model. The aptly named cut features hypnotic percussion and an unchanging guitar riff.

But true to its namesake, “Fade” quickly abandons the noise in favor of a quieter sound. “Is That Enough” uses a string section in place of a reverb pedal, and “Well You Better” uses a hushed organ. These songs are pleasant, intimate pieces, perfect for a cold January day when you want to feel cozy. By the closing track, “Before We Run,” “Fade” has come full circle.

The closer is hypnotic like the opener, but this time it’s in the hushed way, with strings and horns reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens’ quieter numbers.

Fade is a solid release from a consistent band.