The Canadian Indie outfit led by Tamara Lindeman are back with their seventh album and a mini-UK tour in March.

Their fifth album, ‘Ignorance’ met with near universal acclaim and a place deep within the top album listings of 2021 on multiple prestige publications. It resonated with its themes of feeling unsettled in the face of the oncoming climate crisis. ‘How Is It That I should Look at the Stars’ followed in 2022, a more low key affair.

New album Humanhood is a well put together collection of songs as you would expect of The Weather Station. There are a number of stand-out tracks. Lead single ‘Neon Signs’ patters along with a beat like a train rolling through a particularly delightful summer day performed by a cheerier, female fronted, version of The National. There is a flute warbling in and out here, its presence cuts through to most of the tracks.

The mood flits between different subjects. There are more musings on the climate crisis and nature but there are other themes around relationships and interactions. Capitalism comes under scrutiny for its impact.

‘Mirror’ comes in with intriguing keyboard keys, developing into a funk groove when the drums and saxophone are added. ‘Window’ soars majestically from the off, deeply textured and well orchastrated with a wider ensemble. At times it leans towards jazz, most noticably on ‘Irreversible Damage’ with its buried spoken word element hiding under saxophone, shuffling drums and piano.

Whilst you can playlist some of the singles this does feel like a complete album. It demands repeated listening and is already growing on me more with every play. It isn’t as immediate as Ignorance but it might well be as equally rewarding. Strongly recommended.