![]() It’s Feist, however, who delivers one of the best BSS songs to date, proving herself to be the ensemble’s most intriguing member. A groovy bass and jumpy beat carries the rest of the track, and Ariel Engle’s lead vocals stand out as one of the album’s most impressive singular performances. “Stay Happy” begins with a back-and-forth guitar and vocal arrangement that is completely fresh and different from anything they’ve produced in the past. “Protest Song” delivers what we’ve come to expect from BSS and is some of their finest work. ![]() She sings “You’re just the latest in a long list of lost loves, love,” harrowingly cutting lyrics that would curse any ex into months of gloom. Not actually a real protest song, its lyrics are cryptic yet powerful. It features a wall of sound with layers of guitars and effects, but never feels bombastic. Take “Protest Song,” a neatly structured pop song with plenty of musical complexities. Unlike the (dare I say overrated) aforementioned Quebecois band, these Ontarians rely on their own songwriting abilities to fill a track rather than grandiose, pretentious arrangements. Yet, Hug of Thunder avoids the melodrama and eccentricity that basically launched the more commercially successful Montreal-based Arcade Fire. “Halfway Home” in particular, however, stands out as being especially triumphant, a lot like a musical embodiment of a post-tennis match victory celebration: not in-your-face but still full of emotion. But whereas “Capture the Flag” fades gracefully into “KC Accidental,” immediately after “Sol Luna” we’re hit with a quick burst of energy with “Halfway Home.” And this sets up Hug of Thunder quite well, considering the album maintains a surging pace for most of its 52 minutes. “Sol Luna,” the album’s instrumental intro, reminds me a lot of “Capture the Flag,” the intro to their ambitious magnum opus You Forgot It in People. And even though their political leader is less orange and more progressive than ours, even Canada could use some BSS-induced optimism that we all love them for. Following their 2010 release Forgiveness Rock Record, Hug of Thunder is a warm and uplifting addition to darker times. Thankfully, those fears were put to rest earlier in May, though after a series of performances last year, the announcement wasn’t overwhelmingly surprising. “Lovely, rousing, and extremely well named.Hug of Thunder comes as a surprise for fans who thought they would never hear another BSS album. "Hug of Thunder is as attractively messy and untamed as Broken Social Scene’s "Filled with laid-back melodies and feel-good vibes-the perfect “Soaring, rousing, and perfect for sunsets." - Entertainment Weekly ![]() "They're still making songs that sound vast and cacophonous, tracks that are built to flood the brain with serotonin. “An impressive return for a band that set the bar high years ago and continue to ![]() “Broken Social Scene songs are propelled by the size of the group, and when it all converges they’re able to pull optimism from fear of aging, heartbreak, and the rigors "We should be grateful that a band like Broken Social Scene can still make music that’s as reliably anthemic and vibrant as this." - Stereogum "Broken Social Scene’s music rejoices in what clever teamwork can The band is focused and renewed, invigorated by the missionary spirit of their best work." "On their first album in seven years, Broken Social Scene distill their sound to a vital essence.
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