Rating: NNN
From the shirtless cover image to the use of Ontario’s provincial slogan, it’s clear that Sebastien Grainger isn’t taking himself too seriously on his new solo LP.
Intrinsically associated with Toronto’s music scene – through his music as one half of dance-punk duo Death From Above 1979 and various other collabs – Grainger recently relocated to Los Angeles with his wife, and Yours To Discover sees him exploring these new horizons. It might be his most overtly pop record to date, but there’s plenty of crunch here to satisfy long-time fans. (See the pealing guitar solo midway through Let’s Move To NYC.) The highlight by far is Going With You, a synth-heavy firecracker of a track with a jubilant chorus that makes it the anti-Hold On, We’re Going Home.
There are a few clunker lyrics – Grainger’s at his strongest when he’s singing about making love, not having sex – but overall it’s a worthy record from an artist who refuses to make the same one twice.
Top track: Going With You