I'm From Barcelona

Romping through quintessential pop hooks, Forever Today fits like an old tee. Like their first, 2006's Let Me Introduce My Friends, it doesn't make strong turns in mood or momentum. A familiar, if more dynamic, mix of group vocals, glockenspiel, horns, and hand claps, tambos optional, bass hooks turned to funk -- this is an easy win. Pop at its best, the album is far from simple. Beautiful production and arrangements keep it from feeling like a parade of ideas and more like someone cleared out the bus and gave everyone a job.  Besides the first single "Get In Line," hits include "Charlie Parker" for its catchy-as-hell melody and tiny synthy details, "Skipping a Beat" and "Battleships" with bass lines that gives the album a deeper groove, and "Game Is On," sounding introspective without a collective ruh-roh that took over on Who Killed Harry Houdini? There's a couple slow ones in the mix, but a hop and a skip and we're back on their party bus.Rather than a collective mish-mash, I'm From Barcelona develops a cohesive and refined style without winding down the earnest enthusiasm that sits at the core of their best work (and which must be difficult to sustain on tour x 27 members). Emmanuel Lundgren and gang continue to grow in the strong company of modern Swedish Pop.Photo courtesy Matt Hass.