of Montreal – Innocence Reaches

One of the joys of keeping pace with of Montreal’s output, particularly of late, is discovering which version will emerge from the chrysalis next. In the last half-decade alone, Kevin Barnes has shapeshifted through Paralytic Stalks’ knotty psych-pop, Lousy with Sylvianbriar’s backward-glancing 60s-tribute, and the invigorated rock-n-roll of last year’s Aureate Gloom; now, Innocence Reaches takes another mercurial swerve, with synths back in favour and flamboyance reembraced.

The results flit capriciously and deliciously through tones and genres, with highlights including the mechanical electro of Let’s Relate, the stuttering du jour production of A Sport and A Pastime, and the glam rock/spaghetti western/prog hybrid (aye, another one…) that is Chaos Arpeggiating. The bitter lyrics and baleful air of Def Pacts, meanwhile, deliver a spine-tingling echo of Hissing Fauna’s wounded magnificence.

That breakthrough record set a benchmark that Barnes is yet to match, but the many kaleidoscopic twists and transformations – both within and between his subsequent albums – are ample reward.