Caribou // Suddenly

Merge Records 

Fans of Dan Snaith will not be surprised to find that this album is utterly fantastic. Beginning with his 2001 album Start Breaking My Heart (then going by the stage name Manitoba), Snaith's discography has been wonderfully impeccable, whether going by Manitoba, Daphni, or most popularly, Caribou. The Ontario-based producer and electronic musician's latest offering, Suddenly, is no exception, an album that seems both nostalgic and ahead of its time. The record pushes Snaith's vocals to the forefront perhaps more than any previous effort, as Suddenly sees the artist continue to explore new sonic territory. While being grounded firmly in his own musical identity in all its glitchy glory, Suddenly has less of a "club" identity than 2015's Our Love. Through the album's 12 songs and 43 minutes, there are moments of lush, warm joy like "Ravi," dance-ready hits like "Never Come Back," and soulful throwbacks like "Home." If you aren't yet familiar with Snaith, do yourself a favor and dive in, as Suddenly provides as good of a jumping-in point as Caribou has ever had.

— Nick Warren