leaders (drums and production) and (vocals) had plenty to keep them busy during the eight years that separated 2010's and 2018's . opened a successful recording studio in Montclair, New Jersey, and occasionally helped him out with various projects. But you have to give them credit; they've managed to stay firmly on message after a long layoff from the band. doesn't entirely pick up where left off; 's production skills have gotten a bit sharper with time, and the album sounds a bit fuller than much of their previous work. The set also finds and working with some new collaborators; guitarist is the only other holdover from the last incarnation of , with keyboardist and bassist debuting on this LP. But the well-mannered and finely crafted arty pop that's been the band's stock in trade since 2000 is ultimately little changed here, and 's coolly theatrical vocal style and thoughtful if oblique lyrical stance are as strong and distinctive as they've ever been. are quite good at generating melodies that fit their template; tunes like "25 Lines" and "No Depth" display an admirable amount of hooks and energy, while more introspective tracks such as "Souls in Space" and "He's Having a Baby" show off the band's ensemble skills. At their best, sound like what could have been if they'd grown past their folkie inclinations, and shows the group has matured gracefully, sounding smart and adult without tossing aside the energy of their younger days. ~ Mark Deming