Eux Autres, the San Francisco-based pop band, released their third album Broken Bow today. I listened to most of this album on a freezing, slushy day in Portland, but Eux Autres’s sunshine pop kept me warm. The first track, “Jamais,” which means “never,” is a good representation of Eux Autres’s signature sound. The poppy, energetic number is fun to sing along with, and the lyrics are in simple enough French for me to understand.

“Queen Turner” and “You’re Alight,” with their mix of Heather and Nick Larimer’s vocals, are great, and to me, reminiscent of the New Pornographers. I love the driving beats and the trilling piano in both songs. “Wind Me Up” is full of nice percussion in the form of tambourines, egg shakers and tambourines, making it impossible to sit still while listening.

“A Band Undone” is definitely my favorite track on the album. It’s fabulous indie pop. Nick’s vocals are exquisite, reminding me of old ‘60s music. The lyrics speak of traveling, leaving things behind, but also sticking together with who you love. It’s the perfect mixture of sadness and joy.

Heather also has a track that could be mistaken for a ‘60s song. “Go Dancing” has great lyrics like: “Wait you said you’d wait / For a moment or a year / Now I’m haunting every hidden sidewalk / Just to prove that we were here.” Another artful mixture of sadness and joy!

“Take It Or Leave It” slows the tempo down, with slow drum rolls and simple guitar accompaniment. But the lyrics and vocals are so interesting that it doesn’t matter.

Broken Bow is a well written, well produced album. Eux Autres has surpassed sunshine pop and gone deeper—into the clouds that inevitably lie behind any sunny day. They have found a great balance between sadness and joy. I hope they keep making music like this for a long time.

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