Rating: NNNN
PS I Love You’s third album is full of awesome surprises. The Kingston guitar-and-drums indie rock duo of Paul Saulnier and Benjamin Nelson have taken a more dynamic approach to production and songwriting than on past records, keeping the guitar riffs bittersweetly heavy and the vocals awkwardly inward-turned. Depression and personal battles still make up the lyrical content. But there are also spacious, cosmic moments, swaths of texture (Tim Bruton adds keyboard lines and Matt Rogalsky synth bass) and gentler fingerpicked and/or softly sung moments.
Toronto transplant Saulnier impresses with his unique guitar style – thick slabs of grungy sludge overlaid with notey heart-lifting leads. Ferociously driving Limestone Radio will be terrific live, More Of The Same effortlessly goes from off-the-rails to subdued, while the title track coasts on a blissful hook before taking equally satisfying psych-prog twists. But it’s Saulnier’s vocal risks that sometimes steal the spotlight. Closing song Hoarders is both herky-jerky and majestic. Who knew he could sing so emotively and epically?
Top track: For Those Who Stay
PS I Love You play the Drake on August 19.
