Forming at the turn of the 21st century, Canadian indie collective Stars have bubbled under the collective conscience for several years, occasionally breaking through with gems like 2004’s ‘Ageless Beauty’ or 2007’s ‘Take Me To The Riot’. Outside of their native land, however, Stars have struggled to keep their light shining long enough to maintain proper interest.
Perhaps this will change on No One Is Lost, their seventh studio album, which sees the band taking a particularly interesting move into bright roller-disco grooves and emphasising the vocal interplay between Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan.
The band often indulges in twirling, life-affirming pop while subtly adding in shades of grey through lyricism that’s aware of mortality and often afraid of consequence. This is a strength that is played to here, and while it doesn’t entirely work throughout the tracklisting, there’s more than enough on offer that does in order to deem this a successful return.
Perhaps Stars have gone under your radar up to this point, or perhaps you’ve been keenly observing their moves from the beginning. Whatever the case, No One Is Lost makes for a worthwhile listen. It could even be your biggest surprise this year.
No One Is Lostis out Friday October 17 through ATO.
