Driven by a sense of reunion, renewal, collaboration, community and re-finding values lost, a superbly stirring, emotionally uplifting, profound and dynamic return by the Toronto indie rock collective with their first in almost a decade. Reunited with producer David Newfeld who helmed their breakthrough You Forgot It in People (2002) and self-titled 2005 album, this is a joyous mix of sounds - horns, guitars, voices, electronics and more and there is an audible synergy between him and co-founder Kevin Drew, both men losing their mothers during the recording process and finding shared grief. Opener Not Around Anymore has a bittersweet joy to it, like some upbeat brassy funeral march - “Call it that’s the times / There’s no need to cry here anymore / To reach outside here anymore / To redefine here anymore cause it’s all gone away.” Only The Good I Keep then passes the baton to Hannah Georgas to take the lead with great clarity of voice on this strident, defiant track. Another highlight is shimmering synth arpeggios and rising swelling sounds of The Call, this time led by Andrew Whiteman’s writing, unleashes waves of voices and phrases (“Let me hear the call / ‘we’re going’ / either restless or reborn, we’re going”) creating a theme of individuals dissolving into something bigger than themselves - a core theme on this album.Relief is punch-the-air catchy, effervescent synth-pop-rock number expressing cathartic release: “What a relief /To finally feel / To finally be.” Hey Amanda wriggles slowly into view before building with rich vocal harmonies and an anthemic expression of youthful rebellion, one that celebrates the collective’s many voices. Broken, yet unbound? Overall, this a warm, touching, very positive record, gathering feelings and memories that may go full circle, but also move forward in re-identifying what humans are for – to listen to and learn from each other and collaborate. A joyous listen, and welcome return with one of their finest yet. Out on City Slang.
Back together - Broken Social Scene
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