Canadian indie band
Stars rounded the corner on 20 years together before the release of their ninth full-length,
From Capelton Hill, and throughout the album the group reflect repeatedly on the strange and often bittersweet ways that time keeps moving forward. From the first notes of opening track "Palmistry," the elements that have made up
Stars' sound from the beginning are all intact: the well-balanced mix of subtle electronics, spirited organic rock instrumentation, and dual vocals from
Amy Millan and
Torquil Campbell cutting through to the front of the mix. Musically, this is the same intricate blend of chamber pop and upbeat indie pop that
Stars have been perfecting for over two decades. There's a somber shadow running throughout
From Capelton Hill, though, one that's different from the melodrama and theatricality the band sometimes exhibited on earlier albums. It shows up in the nostalgic longing on "Pretenders," a gorgeous pastiche of
Morrissey-recalling melodies and anthemic
New Order-esque synth pop. The song's lyrics hover around themes of lost youth and fond remembrances of times that will never return, lacing the otherwise exuberant anthem with a palpable sadness. This paradox of heavy emotions and pristine pop comes to define
From Capelton Hill. "Back to the End" is stunningly crafted with sharp synth lines that melt into lush live string parts, creating a backdrop for lyrics about inconsolable loneliness and harsh repeating cycles. "Capelton Hill" looks back on years spent touring, sneaking in a slyly self-referential line about the band's 2004 landmark album
Set Yourself on Fire while wondering aloud what it's all been for. The heaviness that runs through
From Capelton Hill is a thoughtful one, with lyrics offering honest assessment of how aging can feel when you've been a touring musician for more than half of your life.
Stars' endlessly detailed arrangements are as impressive as ever, and become more powerful in the context of these highly reflective songs.
Stars fearlessly investigate difficult feelings on
From Capelton Hill, and capture a complex beauty in the process. ~ Fred Thomas
