Album Review: Interpol, This Mirror Weighs A Ton

While many of their noughties peers appear content to keep ploughing the same fields, on their eighth LP, indie icons Interpol continue pushing boundaries. A record about reflection, emotional tension and perception, the wistful and occasionally wonderful This Mirror Weighs A Ton marks a number of firsts for the veterans.

Touring bandmates Brandon Curtis and Brad Truax are now promoted to official members, while there’s even the appearance of – wait for – acoustic guitars on ‘So Rides The Reindeer’. Indeed, producer Andrew Wyatt has introduced more “spatial dimensions”, as he calls it, to their trademark post-punk sound.

The New Yorkers’ determination to remain relevant has resulted in some of their most stylish and seductive music in years. Opening with the cinematic, Ultravox-style title track, the LP – as often with Interpol – is at its best when revelling in darkness. The Johnny Marr-influenced ‘Ever The Actor’ is a treat, while both ‘Wings On Fire’ and ‘Wake Up’ are indie disco bangers in the making.

Singer Paul Banks hasn’t sounded as fired up in a while, his forlorn vocals packed with pathos. Even if a little plodding in parts (particularly ‘Enemy’), This Mirror… will more than please the Interpol faithful.

• Out now.