Ever since the energetic thrill ride of their debut album , have applied a coat of icy polish to each successive album, pasting over some of the wild-eyed desperation with a more measured yet no less emotional approach. Released in 2010, almost took it too far, with the production verging on bland. For 2013's album , the bandmembers took over the production themselves, and while it's not as lively as their debut, the sound is much punchier and sounds more like the logical follow-up to than does. The songs are stronger too, with more variety and some bouncy tracks to break the gloomy mood the band seemed stuck in previously. Along with this, there are plenty of nice touches that make the sound come to life -- the chirpy flutes on the very catchy "Walking in Your Footsteps," the super cute backing vocals on "Glasgow," the shuffling disco tempo and percussion on "Illusions," the super cheesy synths on the otherwise very chilly -sung "Hermila." For anyone who may be worried that may have sorted out all their problems and are all happy and well-adjusted, there are some heavy midtempo heartbreak ballads (like "Where You Come In," "Circles," and "Blue Ice") on hand to balance out the slivers of sunshine. Honestly, even the happy-sounding songs are pretty melancholy at their core. It's a trick were always able to pull off, and have learned it well. The album-opening "Sugar" conjures up very strong impressions of and may be the best song here. Thanks to the production, the overall strength of the songs, and the quietly intense energy the bandmembers put into their performances (not forgetting ' typically impressive lead vocals), is a welcome return to form and solidifies ' position as one of the best indie pop bands of their era. ~ Tim Sendra