Challengers

After three albums' worth of energetic power pop that sometimes veered toward the overstuffed, Challengers presents a more mature and reflective New Pornographers. Opener "My Rights Versus Yours" sets the mood with a slow build that resolves into a wistful midtempo tune with lyrics that flirt more openly with literal meaning and emotional content than primary singer/songwriter Carl Newman's earlier work. As they do here, references to adultery, divorce, new beginnings and agonizing decisions dot nearly every song, particularly the nakedly emotional title track; it's hardly telling tales out of school to note that Newman had recently gotten divorced and remarried prior to the album's release. Interestingly, the newfound musical restraint means Dan Bejar's three songs for the first time mesh perfectly with Newman's material: his dryly witty outsider's paean to Manhattan, "Myriad Harbour," might be the Destroyer frontman's best contribution to a New Pornographers album, and the mysterious "Entering White Cecilia" is nearly as fine. Neko Case is comparatively underused, singing lead only on the stark ballads "Challengers" and "Go Places," while keyboardist Kathryn Calder makes her lead vocal debut on the hypnotic "Failsafe." Strings and horns, led by Claire and The Reasons' Olivier Manchon, color the arrangements in places where they might previously have added new wave synths or effects-heavy guitars. Despite the grumbling of some fans who missed the antic edges, Challengers is every bit as hook-filled and clever as the New Pornographers' earlier albums, but in a more grown-up context.