Caribou - Our Love

Caribou

Our Love

6 October 2014

City Slang/Merge

 

3.5 stars out of 5

 

 

Ontario’s Dan Snaith puts out a new album every two-ish years, and that means it’s time for his seventh, Our Love. His unassuming style of quiet but steady electronica has gained him acclaim and a wide audience, and his LPs regularly make critics’ yearly best-of lists. Our Love may appear on a list or two, but frankly it’s not up there with his better work like Andorra or Up in Flames. Much of the album seems like Caribou-on-autopilot, though Snaith can slumber through a track and still pull off something better than most artists can produce at the height of alertness.

 

Our Love occupies a region somewhere between chill house and PBR&B. One of the album’s highlights, “Mars,” has a spooky IDM flavour, while others, such as “Back Home” and “Our Love,” come across as a more subtle, subdued How to Dress Well. While there’s nothing here that especially jumps out and grabs you, Our Love remains a solid second-tier Snaith offering, with just enough meat on it to satisfy old fans. If you’re new to the Caribou/Manitoba/Daphni junta you’re better off beginning with Up in Flames; if Up in Flames is among the most played albums on your iTunes, you’ll gain some quiet, although not mind-blowing, enjoyment from Our Love.

 

reviewed by Richard Krueger