Japandroids - Fate & Alcohol (Silver Vinyl)

Written in part while the Vancouver duo-- guitarist- vocalist Brian King and drummer- vocalist David Prowse-- were touring behind their 2017 ANTI- debut, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, the album is at once a return to form and a thrilling step forward, testament to the sort of chemistry that they've honed over the course of 18 years and hundreds of shows side-by-side.
Their aim was simply to write songs that they'd enjoy playing live, without sacrificing any of the nuance or ambition that marked their previous effort. Nowhere on this record is that more deeply felt than lead single "Chicago," a song whose sheer momentum feels inevitable and true--from the inherent romance of its opening chords to the series of snare-led explosions that see it through.