The New Pornographers

Since 1997, The New Pornographers have consistently cranked out power-pop anthems that smack you in the face with thrilling walls of sound. The Vancouver-based collective released their eighth studio record, In the Morse Code of Brake Lights, back in September. The record was primarily written and produced by A.C. Newman, aside from a contribution by former member Dan Bejar (Destroyer) on the track “Need Some Giants.” While this album doesn’t see much of a shift from the previous records, it still has its fair share of great moments like the airy arpeggiated synths on “Leather on the Seat” or the orchestral swells on “Colossus Of Rhodes.” As always, Neko Case’s vocals shine. Lady Lamb, the stage name of Aly Spaltro, opens. Her latest record, Even in the Tremor, takes more of a pop direction, a departure from the stripped-back, acoustic sound of her previous record Tender Warriors Club. —Sam Haw