Beatitude #9

Like 2010's The Lost Star, Beatitude #9, the Orchids' third album since their late 2000's reunion, is another sophisticated indie pop gem that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best work the group did the first time around. Working again with producer Ian Carmichael, the band runs through a batch of songs that are positively drenched in all the things that made them great: deep emotional content, rich arrangements, strong melodies, James Hackett's lovely, nuanced vocals. It's a very impressive set of songs that are influenced by classic indie pop, lots of '80s indie swooners and crooners like Prefab Sprout, dance music and and even a little modern R&B. This nodding to the past while staying up to date was one of the things that set them apart from many other Sarah bands (and other contemporaries.) What makes it work is that they always add these touches gracefully and never in a slapdash, trend-chasing fashion. Even if they did, the songs are likely good enough to withstand any tomfoolery. Listing all the standout tracks would be like listing 90% of the album - let's just say there are plenty of songs that would slot in perfectly on a modern indie pop mixtape, a few even that would topline one. The lilting "She's Just a Girl" would be one, the sweeping ballad "And When She Smiled" is another. Mostly though it's an album in the proper sense, with plenty of differing moods and textures that flows gracefully from one peak to another. Beatitude #9 is sophisticated pop at it's finest, the Orchids at their near best, and damn near essential for indie pop fans, old and new.