15. There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light / Stars

There is No Love in Fluorescent Light is a swooning collection of supremely crafted electro-pop songs.  The Canadian band's youthful abandon has given way to more adult concerns as the sparks now fly by way of a more mature and centered approach; some of the bombast has evolved over the years to tempos and rhythms suitable to the romantic pursuits of middle age.  This is not to say the record lacks punch – the dance beats and guitar flurries still throttle – but the production leaves space enough for Amy Millan’s and Torquil Campbell's give-and-take to glimmer with both regret and sky-scraping possibility.

Hailing from the exploding Montreal music scene during the early ‘00s (see Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Wolf Parade), Stars immediately created tracks with sweeping city-light romance.  Stars and Broken Social Scene often swapped members for performances in their early days and Millan still made appearances on this year’s excellent Hug of Thunder.  This collaborative approach endures with Millan's and Campbell's shared lead vocal duties; their platonic chemistry is the primary catalyst for the band's moxy and charm. 

Stars hit a zenith with 2005’s Set Yourself on Fire, a supernal indie-pop record with gems like “Your Ex-Lover is Dead,” “Reunion,” “Ageless Beauty,” and the title track.  Since then, the band has released several good to great records, with this year’s effort arguably the finest of the bunch.  Millan and Campbell's interplay is again endearing, reminding listeners that they moved us well before The xx hit the stage.

“Privilege” bubbles along invitingly, the perfect mid-tempo hush for Millan’s sweet voice.  “Fluorescent Light” seeks the moonlit air as an escape from staid domestic restrictions, belting along with sincere desire--no one falls in love under fluorescent light!   "Real Thing" skips with synths and hand-claps until it hits a chugging chorus and a sneaky little electric guitar fill.  There is not a weak track on the album, even if "Gift of Love" comes closest to sappy.  "Losing to You" turns darker over the worries of a teetering relationship, sentiments that can only be described by a couple that has been in it together for a long time.

Sometimes the leads get their own spotlight.  "Hope Avenue" allows Millan to luxuriate in a starry groove, while "Alone" showcases Campbell's pleasant, stretched-out voice, as he pleads for comforting company amid the lush backing of synths, trumpets, and saxophones.  After listening to the tracks in sequence, one can only feel the hope of lasting love and deep relationships, gorgeously rendered by artists that have clearly experienced both.