Toronto indie pop band Stars are out with their sixth full length, The North. The five piece continue their brand of smart, earnest pop with a renewed focus and enthusiasm. They backed off some of the heavy keyboards and synthesizers that dominated their previous album, The Five Ghosts, instead settling back into more subtle and dreamy sound that uses synths not as pop décor but to create mood and atmosphere. Lead vocalists Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan’s remain in fine form, trading off songs and joining together nicely on the duet, “Walls.” Recorded in Montreal, the other standouts include “Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It” and “The 400.” – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Broken Social Scene, Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, Feist, Memphis, Metric