Interpol’s early career achievements remain the subject of much reverence, but by 2010’s self-titled fourth LP, the sartorial New Yorkers had essentially painted themselves into a mouldy corner. ‘Safe’ is a polite way to sum up Interpol’s previous two releases.El Pintorisn’t quite dangerous, but it does unfurl some new wall decorations.
As is the norm, Paul Banks’ mopey, detached vocals and Daniel Kessler’s reverb-drenched guitar work occupy El Pintor’s frontline. However, it’s drummer Sam Fogarino’s upright backbone that pushes Interpol into the proximity of the listener. This gives tracks such as ‘Everything Is Wrong’ and ‘All The Rage Back Home’ the same sense of subway station anxiety found on Bright Lights.
Since day one, the tag ‘post-punk’ has been firmly attached to Interpol. It’s worth noting that plenty of post-punk’s ’70s/’80s progenitors went on to arena-filling rock stardom. There are a dozen or so memorable singles in Interpol’s catalogue, but they’ve never embraced broad-strokes pop-rock. El Pintor isn’t a major advance in this direction, but the spacious ‘My Blue Supreme’ and ‘Tidal Wave’ comprise a hitherto unexplored tone of relaxation.
As welcome as this arrival is to planet Interpol, alas El Pintor isn’t exactly an occasion of intrepid adventure.
3/5.
El Pintoris out now through [PIAS].
