Moby, 'Wait for Me'

The cover art for Moby’s new disc is white with a spare line drawing of an alien staring at a slice of yellow in the sky. Essentially, it illustrates the aesthetic approach Moby takes here after last year’s erratic, disco-fied “Last Night.’’ “Wait for Me’’ is the soundtrack for the morning after. It’s a back-to-basics album (with a splash of color) marked by flourishes of classical drama, blues lament, and minimalist electronics. It’s the music you play with a half-empty glass as you stare at the handwritten letter left under the extra key to the apartment on the table. This is all about mood and texture - some of it is beautiful, some of it is noodling. Moby is smart enough to leave most of the singing to others, but the soundscapes and melodies are commanding enough by themselves. Of the singers, Kelli Scarr, Melody Zimmer, and the fine Leela James make real impressions. Many of these songs don’t work individually (“Mistake’’ sounds like Joy Division-lite), but they were certainly meant to be heard as a song cycle. There’s sadness here, but also the joy of simplicity, harmony, and grace. (Out now) KEN CAPOBIANCO