The Albertans released their second full-length album, New Age, yesterday, and through my five back-to-back-to-back listens, I grooved and nodded and thought that these must be Sufjan Stevens‘ poppy, edgy siblings.  

This Canadian quintet, formed by a fateful convening of the five Albertan-bred musicians in Vancouver, brings a sound more rock than pop, but still catches you off guard with pop-rooted-body-moving guitar riffs.  Mixed in there are well timed build-ups and etherial repetitions; there are complementing male/female vocals and earnest longings; there are surprising lyrics (“I’d like to swallow those pills you’ve got, hold on” from “The Wake”) and chuckle-worthy lyrics(“I have a twin/she looks just like a fatter type of me” from “Furniture”). Moments of Jenny Lewis simplicity rear their blushing heads (see: “May”), and the recent indie musical craze–whistling (we’re looking at you, PB&J)–finds its whimsical, foresty place on the album (see: “People Don’t Go”). 

Comprised of catchy, clever upbeat sing-a-longs next to trembling, winding slow songs, The Albertans’ New Age is influenced by a wide range of indie-giants–from The Smiths, to Sufjan Stevens, to Radiohead, to Rilo Kiley, to The Shins, to Iron & Wine–making a dynamic, oddly-invigorating album that leaves the listener wanting to go outside dance and run and breathe and live.

Check out The Albertans at SXSW (Also, click here to find out about other bands to look for at SXSW), and be sure to give their track “The Wake” from this album a well-deserved listen.

 

Also, what do you guys think of this album? Dig it or forget it? Pick it up or overlook it? Leave a comment ’cause I want to know!