Islands — Vapours

Coming on the heels of Islands' fabulously kooky debut, Return To The Sea, last year's Arm's Way was a dark, depressing disappointment. Many chalked up the turn in mood to the departure of founding Islander and former Unicorns member Jamie Thompson (a.k.a. J'aime Tambeur). Thankfully, Vapours, the Montreal band's third record, offers both the return of Thompson and the band's lighter side.

Vapours sounds like the record most expected Arm's Way to be — more confident and mature, but balanced by a playfulness. It's immediately evident from the opening drum beats of "Switched On." Even group mastermind Nick Thorburn (a.k.a. Nick Diamonds) sounds inspired again, having stripped back the band from a six-piece to a streamlined quartet.

Time will hopefully be kind to Arm's Way, as it wasn't a bad record, just a change in direction. But without Vapours, it's unlikely many of the fans who left the Islands' camp would ever return to find out.

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