Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That

Modern French pop music has always stuck faithfully to its ideals; mind over soul, intellect over heart and perfection over weakness and quirkiness. What surprises me with such bloody delight is that Phoenix have finally created an album that can emotionally compare itself to its global competitors. Opener Napoleon Says reminds me distinctively of Swedish emo-rockers Fireside while the rest of 'It's Never Been Like That' leans back on sunbeams and heartaches with a striking heartfelt honesty that occasionally brings The Shins to mind. The production is still on top but in an organic way that incarnates the album as living and breathing flesh and blood, rather than static and mechanical - the way most of their fellow countrymen present themselves. The surprise of the year so far and a given soundtrack for the summer. [Chris Nordeng]