Limblifter

The first album from Vancouver's Limblifter in over a decade makes it clear that Ryan Dahle and Co. didn't spend that time learning new tricks. But sometimes just doing one trick really well is just as good - in their case crafting sharp, jangly power pop.

Pacific Milk stumbles a bit out of the gate despite the strength of the excellent Dopamine, but it hits its stride after I Deleted You. The Fauves is the high-water mark: a big, driving tune that makes killer use of the vocal back-and-forth between Dahle and bassist Megan Bradfield. Except for a few throwaways, Pacific Milk doesn't slump. To the end, it's all finely tuned, gritty pop gems that recall guitar-heavy 90s college rock.

Pacific Milk sometimes sounds a bit like a blast from the past, but it's a past worth revisiting.

Top track: The Fauves