The Luyas – Too Beautiful to Work

Too Beautiful to Work’s dizzying title track sets out an impressive stall. “No one could follow” incants Jessie Stein over repetitive organ riffs. “She looked back to see there’s no one, nobody, not much to speak of”, lyrics that could be interpreted as a statement of confidence in her band’s musical trail-blazing. The Montreal quartet make unusual music with unusual instruments (as well as vocals, Stein handles zither duties), which in those quarters is fast becoming the status quo.

As the effervescent opener segues into the moody, trembling Worth Mentioning, they affirm their range: assisted by local heroes Owen Pallett and Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufield, album highlights include Canary’s chilly and sparse balladry, the murky mechanics of Spherical Mattress's reverb swamp, and the wonky dramatics of Gold Canada. Their hometown’s cultural capital has been high for some time; the Luyas gift the city one more thing to shout about. [Chris Buckle]