Destroyer: Trouble in Dreams

Destroyer's eighth album is probably one of the most straightforwardly "pop" albums that Dan Bejar has ever been involved with, as far as Bejar can be straightforward. All of the things that make a Destroyer record enjoyable are still intact: abrupt changes of direction, impenetrable lyrics, extraordinarily complex arrangements. One element present on Trouble in Dreams lacking from most Destroyer albums (or at least the ones I've heard so far) is brevity. With few exceptions, Bejar and company manage to encapsulate their ideas in under five minutes. However, it just wouldn't be a Destroyer record without epic, multi-part songs, and Trouble in Dreams has two of their best so far. "Shooting Rockets (From the Desk of Night's Ape)", in particular, seems short despite its length because of its Disintegration-like hooks.