Remember the humans (cd)

Marking their first new studio album in nearly a decade, the LP reunites the Toronto collective with producer David Newfeld, who helmed their breakthrough 'You Forgot It in People' (2002) and self-titled 2005 album. Across the 12 tracks the arrangements are dense and enveloping - a lattice of horns, guitars, voices, and electronics - yet melody always remains sovereign, refusing to be swallowed by the sheer sound. When the music drifts towards abstraction, a grounding bass line arrives to anchor the listener, reminding us always that there are human hands on the controls and that, however artful, this is still rock and roll.