XASTHUR founder Scott Conner, an astute chronicler of the dark side of the American dream, has come to terms with the idea that his work can confuse people and be misread. He just accepts that reality now. This notion is clearly expressed in the title of his new work "Open to Misinterpretation". This insight has also firmed his resolve to neither change his artistic direction nor to attempt making his music easier for people to access. Conner is just not interested in chasing what has worked for other people or fitting neatly into a genre. This does not mean that XASTHUR are standing still. "Open to Misinterpretation" represents a deeper and more developed version of what Conner already does. He keeps honing his expression and to find new sounds and moods for his ideas. As a result, his songwriting has become equally more detailed as well as harder to predict at the same time. The production has audibly been cleared up, even though Conner still aims for the recording process to feel live, organic, and real. "Open to Misinterpretation" probably feels more complete because these songs have already been performed live on stage due to XASTHUR's prior touring activities on both sides of the Atlantic. With "Open to Misinterpretation", the American delivers a more focused and more confident album that realises the evolution and expression of Scott Conner's sound to a point that makes it harder to misunderstand this artist's intentions. Well, and if anyone does, he has come to accept it as an integral part of XASTHUR's music.