Superhuman Happiness - Escape Velocity (2015)

Recording new material between tours and studio work with other bands, the Stuart Bogie-led working-musician collective Superhuman Happiness follow up their dynamic full-length debut, Hands, with the relatively streamlined Escape Velocity -- but only relatively. A bit less proggy yet still experimental in nature, and as always with top-notch musicianship, it continues the combo's trend across releases toward poppier tunes, complete with la-la-la singalongs and irresistible dance grooves. The most notable shift here is to more traditional pop song forms with nary an instrumental in sight. Multi-instrumentalist Bogie, who's played saxophone for the likes of Iron and Wine and David Byrne and also produced most of the tracks, is joined by writing contributor and Superhuman Happiness regular Eric Biondo, singer Andrea Diaz, and drummer Sam Levin in the core lineup. Over a dozen other musicians lend their talents to the album, including Reinaldo DeJesus on Latin percussion, and violinist Sarah Neufeld and saxophonist Colin Stetson, both of whom Bogie performed with as fellow members of Arcade Fire's touring band. With reflective lyrics ("You've rehearsed apologies when you really want to scream") and an equally reflective melodic tone drifting over complex, driving syncopation amongst drums, guitars, keyboards, woodwinds, and strings, such as on the absorbing "Date & Time," it makes for a slightly brooding dance party that impresses with its complete commitment to a celebratory impulse in spite of itself. Likewise, the relentlessly rhythmic "Super 8," with atmospheric synths and soaring backing vocals, has a caffeinated drum break with funky electronics and outrageous horns, offering a recess from the heavily nostalgic lyrics ("Home computer, fallen future, the Super 8"). Marking a new focus more than a new sound for the group, Escape Velocity's interplay of ruminative tone and unbridled infectiousness works like a charm, compelling not only moving feet but repeat plays.