Something

It's easy to be skeptical of a band like Chairlift. They were introduced to most music fans via an Apple commercial, and the featured song (debut single "Bruises") didn't appear to break much ground with its all-too-familiar cutesy-pie, synth and drum machine combo. But the Brooklyn-based duo have certainly upped the ante for album number two. Something features a much fuller pop sound, one that was only hinted at on Does You Inspire You? tracks like "Earwig Town". Most of this is nothing new for anyone who's heard a Yeasayer song lately, but it still marks an improvement. Guest spots from groups like Violens (guitarist Jorge Elbrecht) and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (guitarist Kurt Feldman) probably helped, but it's the vocals of Caroline Polachek that really drive this album, or at least, its best parts. "I Belong In Your Arms" is the band's strongest song to date, and "Amanaemonesia" isn't far behind. Even the slower and slightly more minimal "Guilty As Charged" holds its own, improving in areas where the trio would've been likely to stumble in the past. Those who've been around the indie pop block a few times might be bored, though fans of Bat For Lashes and Charli XCX could have a revelation on their hands.