INTERPOL play to their strengths with new music full of swagger and vulnerability

INTERPOL

The Other Side Of Make-Believe (Matador)

Due to COVID, Interpol’s seventh album – The Other Side of Make-Believe – was sketched out with each band member in isolation in different corners of the globe. When the time came for the heavyweight production team of Flood and Alan Moulder to start recording The Other Side Of Make-Believe, it was decided to keep Paul Banks’ vocals at the same quieter level and spaciousness of the initial demos, at the same time emphasising the band’s sound without adding any flourishes of overblown pomposity.

Sam Fogarino’s drums sound as vividly powerful here as PiL did on their Flowers Of Romance album. Daniel Kessler’s guitar navigates its way through songs that chew over remorse, longing, regret and finality with Banks’ vocals showing a brittle vulnerability throughout. Toni, Something Changed, Gran Hotel and Renegade Hearts are amongst Interpol’s best; indeed, The Other Side… is Interpol playing to their strengths with an impressive widescreen swagger on an album that gives more away on each addictive listen.

words DAVID NOBAKHT