ARCADE FIRE - REFLEKTOR (ALBUM REVIEW)

FINALLY IT'S HERE - Arcade Fire's fourth studio album.

There were high expectations - The Suburbs was a generation-defining record which brought them from relative obscurity into the forefront of music, winning both Grammy and BRIT award for Best Album.

In typical Arcade Fire fashion, this new record has a completely new style, while still preserving that sound that is distinctly theirs. The two track record opens with the title-track Reflektor, a catchy 80s inspired track that's miles away from their previous work in the best possible way, casually boasting backing vocals from David Bowie.

The second track, We Exist, is suitably impressive with it's Billie Jean-esque bassline that immediately catches your attention, and to be fair, the whole of the first CD is incredible (ignoring the fact that, for some bizarre reason, they used the voice of Jonathan Ross introducing the band at the beginning of You Already Know).

Then comes the second disk. While, as a whole record listened in one seamless session is beautifully arranged and melodious, and the commercial appeal of tracks shouldn't be an element of critique, but I can't help but feel that if they'd made some of the tracks a bit more concise, then it would make for an absolutely perfect record. Nonetheless, the length of the songs makes for a great long journey soundtrack, and songs such as Supersymmetry feel like they're saying goodbye, and with the rumours of this being their final album, it may be so.

All the same, after more than one listen, all criticisms seem petty, and this album easily fits alongside their back catalogue of pretty much flawless albums.

   

Buy Reflektor here: http://arcadefire.com/reflektorpreorder/eu

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