Arcade Fire – Everything Now

Indie Rock | Art Rock | Disco

84%

Much has already been said about Arcade Fire’s fifth record. Thanks to a potent mix of the band’s hyperactive marketing campaign which walked a tightrope between ingenious and obnoxious, and the fact that Everything Now continues the electronic tinged disco feel that the began with 2013’s Reflektor, many have been quick to write this off as the band’s worst album. It will likely remain a divisive record for a few years to come, but “worst” is a bit of a stretch. It’s a solid album, and a worthy addition to their discography. Sure, it has its filler tracks, but then so do most records. The title track certainly doesn’t need two extra variations and the futuristic polka of ‘Chemistry’ gets a little repetitive. The double whammy of ‘Infinite Content’ has some compelling sounds as part of its building blocks, but is lyrically non-existent and generally feels like a vastly under-developed idea.

Much of the rest of the record contains some of the band’s most accessible hits. The Abba tinged title track is an instant classic, the wickedly addictive funk of ‘Signs of Life’ grows on you with each listen, and the juxtaposition of the morbid lyrics and the upbeat synth stomp in ‘Creature Comfort’ really pushes the envelope. The last couple of tracks however are the real ace up Arcade Fire’s sleeves. ‘Put Your Money On Me’ recalls everyone from Tame Impala to the Stranger Things soundtrack with its snaking 80s synths and Regine’s airy harmonies, while ‘We Don’t Deserve Love’ captures their classic, world-weary feel. Like some futuristic folk from some distant time, its longing and nostalgia hold within it the album’s lyrical highlights and it ranks amongst the band’s best work to date. Don’t let convoluted marketing campaigns cloud your judgement, this is a pretty damn good record, even if it might take some people a while to realise it.