Here We Go Magic: Pigeons

Label: Secretly Canadian

Here we go again -- singer-songwriter Luke Temple returns with his second album of sparkling indie-pop, building on the success of Here We Go Magic's self-titled debut (which itself built on Temple's relative lack of success as a solo performer). Pigeons comes springing out of the speakers with the nervy new-wave energy of "Hibernation" but immediately calibrates itself when Temple's soft (I almost want to say "creamy" but you sickos can't be trusted) vocals enter. That moderated tension describes a lot of Here We Go's magic: the band frequently bounds along, as if early-era Feelies had weaned themselves on modern indie pop, while Temple's croon glides above but in formation with each song, acting as both a unifying and calming presence. Not everything on Pigeons races by like "Hibernation" though; "Bottom Feeder" and "F.F.A.P." tamp down the energy and somehow come out sounding smarter, while the only thing to prevent you from thinking "Old World United" is an OMD song is Temple's au courant vocals. (James)