Chroma

Known in the U.K. for his understated sense of self in an arena of self-important pop stars, Eugene McGuinness, on his third solo album Chroma, sounds like a brash craftsman who isn’t afraid of making bold moves. “Immortals” channels the cowbell of classic rock with broad guitar riffs and in-your-face vocals that demand attention. Chroma is loaded with attitude and big vocals and harmonies. “Godiva” mutates the riff from The Beatles’ “Day Tripper” until it sounds like a Black Keys idea. “I Drink Your Milkshake” uses the basic muscle of bass guitar and drums to create a mock seriousness that flourishes as the chorus never breaks character. “The Crueller Kind” sounds like a pop hit you can’t quite place. “Deception of the Crush” suggests a literate pop fan with his roots in The Kinks and Blur and a desire to find his own place in that vocabulary. “Black Stang” bashes it out to the finish line.