After releasing and touring the intense , quickly returned to the studio with to record his third album, . In contrast to the stripped-down pop and rock of his first two albums, boasted a detailed and textured pop production, but it was hardly lavish. However, the more spacious arrangements -- complete with ringing pianos, echoing reverb, layered guitars, and harmonies -- accent 's melodies, making the record more accessible than his first two albums. Perversely, while the sound of 's music was becoming more open and welcoming, his songs became more insular and paranoid, even though he cloaked his emotions well. Many of the songs on use politics as a metaphor for personal relationships, particularly fascism, which explains its working title, Emotional Fascism. Occasionally, the lyrics are forced, but the music never is -- the album demonstrates the depth of 's compositional talents and how he can move from the hook-laden pop of "Accidents Will Happen" to the paranoid "Goon Squad" with ease. Some of the songs, like the light reggae of "Two Little Hitlers" and the impassioned "Party Girl," build on his strengths, while others like the layered "Oliver's Army" take into new territories. It's a dense but accessible pop record and ranks as his third masterpiece in a row. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine