A couple months back we did a piece on dynamic shifts in music—when the drums come in dramatically or the melody suddenly morphs into something totally different than before, and the song becomes this whole new animal. We called out a few of our favorite examples, one of which came from venerable Canadian pop band, Stars.
Now, used to be that the last thing you wanted to be called was ‘venerable’ if you’re trying to come across as cool in the music scene. But, these days, given how easy it is to stay a band rather than announcing some dramatic breakup, and how simple this information society has made it to record, distribute, and publicize your music, it’s become common for the 40+ set to simultaneously plan their next world tour and their pending retirement.
Stars’ forthcoming full-length, No One is Lost, is a few shy of numbering them in the teens for albums under their belts, but maintaining a musical style while still evolving your sound with the times through seven albums is a feat worth noting and one that the band’s pulled off with surprising grace.
You can give the title track to the album a listen below. It showcases their trademark exploration of melancholia through upbeat pop and anthemic choruses—that ‘dance it out’ attitude that we’ve grown to love and expect from the band.
NPR’s First Listen series allows you to stream the whole album this week prior to its release next Tuesday. Check it out.
Old is the new young!
Band photo by the excellent music + portrait photographer, Shervin Lainez.
