Put Neko Case, Dan Bejar, and the rest of the NEW PORNOGRAPHERS in an empty cement room for 20 minutes with nothing but a slide whistle and broken bass drum, and they’d still emerge with a thrilling indie pop nugget of some sort.

Not that “Challengers” lacks in the production or variety department; the band makes use of everything from synths to guitars to flutes and more in this latest installment. The disc drips with pure, unadulterated melody, awash in hooks similar to prior releases like 2003’s “Electric Version” and 2005’s “Twin Cinema”. The subtle, barely audible banjo accompaniment in the title track is just what the doctor ordered to make a good song into a great one. The commingling of skronky guitar and Case’s cabaret do-ray-me's succeeds in a high watermark for the band entitled ‘Myriad Harbour” (you’ll sing that one for days). “Mutiny I Promise You” has that CARS “Candy-O” sort of new wave vibe so prevalent on the “Electric Version” disc, and “Mutiny” drills its way effortlessly into your psyche with grinding, robotic synths. Obvious filler like “Enter White Cecilia” is actually more hummable than a lot of A-sides released in the genre this year. Plus, you can snag this puppy on vinyl if you're quick about it.

Not to suggest that this band undertake one of those dreaded ‘covers albums’, but hearing their take on, say CRACK THE SKY’s “Robots for Ronnie” or SPARKS’ “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us” would make for fascinating bonus material. Wishful thinking aside, Matador triumphs again.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.thenewpornographers.com

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