CHALLENGERS

'Challengers' is the hotly anticipated fourth album from this wildly popular Canadian super-group who formed back in 1997 in Vancouver, They have achieved massive commercial success Stateside with International success just round the corner. 'Challengers' continues the New Pornographer's signature multi-layered sound with greater epic sweep and wider sonic diversity, Less frenetically jaunty than its predecessors
but still encapsulating pure summer joy, this album will impress the existing fans and convert the uninitiated. Challengers is their most organic-sounding record, reflecting a conscious decision to use less "beepy synth" and almost entirely "real" instruments (they recruited an entire string
section - who have played with Sufjan Stevens - plus harp, flute, and more). Main songwriter and de facto band leader, A.C. ("Carl") Newman's songwriting is slightly more scrutable this time around, particularly the luscious Neko Case fronted ballads "Go Places" and "Challengers".