Interpol

From the highly melodic “Barricade” and “Lights” through the snarling “Memory Serves” and the extraordinary triptych of connected tracks that close the album, Interpol have never made work this emotionally resonant or packed with crescendos. Mixer Alan Moulder has brought the rhythm section back to the fore, anchoring a thicket of orchestral sound that brings to mind touchstones from black metal to ‘70s art rock, but always remains identifiably Interpol. Hypnotic, bizarre, always indelible, Interpol is the band’s magnum opus.

Interpol are now a core trio made up of Paul Banks (vocals, guitar), Daniel Kessler (guitar) and Sam Fogarino (drums), bolstered live by Dave Pajo (Slint, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) on bass and Secret Machines’ Brandon Curtis on keyboards.