Montreal-based art rock/ Indie band Sunset Rubdown have returned with their charmingly odd and artistically dense fourth album, Always Happy To Explode and their first album in nearly 15 years. The mix of sounds the band has incorporated into this album are chaotically original and simply fun. Throughout nine grandiose and captivating tracks, Frontman Spencer Krug’s lyricism is at his most eccentric, as well as the production style and unpredictable instrumental layers.

This record starts in quite a classy and understated fashion with the opening track, Losing Light, A melodramatic alt-rock ballad that sets the mood perfectly for the start of the album. The following track, All Alright, has an infectiously groovy drum beat reminiscent of krautrock heavyweights such as CAN or Amon Duul II and some drowsy and paranoid-sounding synths creeping into the mix in the verse. The third track is Candles, a fun and creative song filled with upbeat synths and earnest vocal performances that make this track not just a goofy moment on the record but an epic and surprising song.

One of the more theatrical moments on the record takes place on the fourth track Snowball. The song starts with some very 80s synth pads and grows into an emotional ballad, which isn’t my personal favourite off the record but is still a well-put-together and thoughtful song. Following Snowball is Ghoulish Hearts, another 80s-sounding track with some lovely synth melodies and vocal performances. After two relatively low-tempo songs, we are hit with one of the rockiest tracks off the record, Reappearing Rat, The song is a lot more high energy than some other songs on the record but still keeps the cohesiveness of the record alive with its outro transitioning seamlessly into Cliche town a moody and instrumentally progressive song that is a standout on the album as well as a stand-alone banger in the band’s catalogue.

The last two songs Worm and Fable Killer make for an excellent finish to this album and make for a very satisfying listen. Worm Is a trancy and hypnotic rock ballad with some excellent synth chords droning and pulsating throughout the run time. Fable Killer is a heartfelt and emotional song with come crushing chord changes and once again a breathtaking vocal performance from frontman Spencer Krug. Always Happy To Explode is a really interesting and creative album by one of Canada’s most inventive and creative bands.

pre-order Always Happy To Explode HERE