“Ooh La La” Guster
9th album for the Boston-based alt rock and jangle pop band. Founded in the early 1990s when Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller and Brian Rosenworcel were freshmen at Tufts University. This album — produced by Josh Kaufman (The National, The Hold Steady) — moves away from the cool sonic textures of Guster’s 2019 release to create a richer, more expansive palette, blending acoustic guitar, piano, organ, synths, and intriguing rhythms. Lyrics explore the isolation, resilience and ultimately hopefulness of our post-pandemic experience. RIYL: Ben Folds Five, The Shins, the Wallflowers or the Dave Matthews Band.
— Francis

Highly recommended: 5, 3, 9, 10, 1, 6. No FCCs detected.

1. (4:42) This Heart Is Occupied — Breezy and contemplative. Tinkling piano and organ, with strummed and picked guitar. Easygoing beat. ***
2. (4:38) When We Were Stars — Jaunty bongo- and bass-driven groove. Glittery effects and swelling synth strings.
3. (3:24) All Day — Swaying and melodic. Mesmerizing bassline overlayed with synth elements and light, uplifting vocals. Fuller arrangement toward the end. ****
4. (3:18) My Kind — Deliberate pace. Theatrical, jazzy rock. Piano and other keys, with guitar added later.
5. (4:08) Keep Going — Pulsing and swelling synth soundscape, backed by effortless percussion. Easy, calming feeling. Harmonized vocals. Guitar in lead break. ****
6. (4:03) Gauguin, Cézanne (Everlasting Love) — Cosmic and mystical, woven into a synth soundscape. Ethereal vocals. Throaty guitar. ***
7. (3:02) Witness Tree — Starts as a DIY singer-songwriter toe-tapper. Organ, horns, drums and more added about 35 seconds in — resulting in something like a bouncy carnival vibe.
8. (2:58) Black Balloon — Largely acoustic. Heavily reverbed vocals over simple fingerpicked and strummed guitar and light piano. Synth strings near the end. Some distortion.
9. (3:02) The Elevator — Lovely, reassuring folk ballad. Great storytelling vocals. Slapping rhythm. Flowing and shimmery. Catchy! ****
10. (3:44) Maybe We’re Alright — Sensitive and thoughtful closer. Laid-back, strummed acoustic guitar. Recognizing the passing of time and life’s challenges, but also providing reassurance that “Maybe we’re all right.” ***