Broken Social Scene - Hug of Thunder

Rating:

A record that lives up to its name.

Since disappearing for seven years, the return from Canadians Broken Social Scene has been more than worth the wait. One of their strongest releases to date, with ‘Hug of Thunder’ they take us on a coherent ride through what makes them one of the staples of indie.

Celebrated by the band as a way of bringing their positivity into the world, you can’t argue with the result. Synthesised swells ring in the album on ‘Sol Luna’, laying the groundwork for true opener ‘Halfway Home’, a euphoric, determined track with an abundance of heart. The idea that over nineteen (!!) people came together to create this album may give you the idea that it might sound bloated or convoluted, but it instead lends itself to the intricacies, each layer reveals something new, and you find yourself picking up new moments with each listen.

The heavier moments hit with a force to be reckoned with, while the softer, quieter ones let the chaos subside and allow respite so you can delve into the vocal work - a voice that’s always changing.

‘Hug Of Thunder’ is a record that holds a lot of weight, especially for a band of such revered standing, and most importantly it’s one that truly lives up to its name. Steven Loftin