Islands, Vapours

Once a schizophrenic, overstuffed Montreal couch full of indie-pop potential, Islands finally realized that even the most talented members of Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade need to edit.

Their infectious and weird third album, Vapours, is proof of all their potential. Lead singer Nick Thorburn, aka Nick Diamonds, and his crew have stripped away the orchestral layers and theatrical pomp that turned the band’s sophomore album, Arm’s Way, into a bloated, highfalutin’ rock opera. What’s left is masterful, refreshing synth-pop, served up pure and simple. Snappy, mid-tempo drumbeats drive the album’s single “No You Don’t,” while Thorburn’s charming, spot-on lyrics come through loud and clear—“Don’t buy dope from the man you don’t know.” What he said.