Review of Metric’s “Fantasies”

One of the benefits of being an artist has to be any positive interpretation of your work. When approached with a thoughtful observation, an artist can legitimately and sincerely attest that what you felt as a listener was plotted out with intent – and if not entirely, then at least a little  bit. Metric‘s latest release, Fantasies, allows plenty of room for such interpretations, playing out like its title by inspiring an almost hypnotic feeling, one of disorientation akin to a fantasy. Metric has consistently stuck to avenues of new wave and electronic; Fantasies features a pleasantly intense ambient style, secure yet roaming freely within the basic construct of rock.

Over the last decade, Metric – comprised of vocalist  Emily Haines, guitarist James Shaw, bassist Joshua Winstead, and drummer Joules Scott Key- has been able to fine-tune their work in a genre whose songs can come across as the same chord progression in a different key (which is not necessarily a negative). The tracks on Fantasies are completely distinct from each other, heavy on synths and acoustics, varying in mood and tempo. If Rufus Wainwright and The Cranberries had a rebellious love-child, Metric would be it.

As an observation if not a sidepoint in the role of Emily Haines as frontwoman, however: one of the common issues with holding that banner is easy marketability as being merely the T&A of the operation. This is not and undoubtedly never will be the case with Haines; her meticulous writing ability is as integral to Metric’s sound as her delectable androgynous vocals. There is solidarity in Metric’s formation; the more care that exudes, the better it sounds. And for all of that, we’ve a solid album to spin.

Fantasies is available for pre-order and digital download here, and will hit music store shelves on April 14.

Recommended Tracks: “Stadium Love”, “Help I’m Alive”, “Blindness”

Photo by Edwin