I first saw Metric duing the summer of 2010 when they gave a free concert at Union Station. My daughter was a fan of their music and I was working downtown so I offered to go with her. At the time I was only vaguely familiar with the band (mostly as an offshoot of Broken Social Scene who we both loved), but I really enjoyed it. A few years later, she took me to a Metric show at the Air Canada Centre for my birthday and again, I enjoyed it. They're a powerful and exciting live band, and Emily Haines has incredible stage presence.
Recently, I came across an article from Relix about their latest album, Formentera, which I had not yet heard.
For years, the band has held a unique position within the world of indie music: popular enough to continuously make a dent in the Billboard charts—2012’s Synthetica notably hit No. 12 overall—hip enough to attract tastemaker reviews and versatile enough to open Smashing Pumpkins’ partial reunion tour in 2018. But Formentera expanded the band’s universe past gleaming New Wave hooks and synth-pop atmospheres, arriving at some unique combinations. The title track is somehow funky and muted, built for stoned stargazing and romantic swiveling—a combination of vibes that Shaw astutely describes as “space Bee[1]Gees.” Elsewhere, the slow-churning, light-show-worthy “Enemies of the Ocean” is lifted by the swooning strings of the Budapest Art Orchestra, recorded through a live conference session.
It's a good album and I'll listen to it again, I'm sure. Enjoy.
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