Fifth studio album from Toronto's Junior Boys. It's a little hard to believe that Jeremy Greenspan and Matt Didemus have been releasing music for more than a decade. When the Junior Boys released their debut, 2004's Last Exit, their music existed in its own realm. Not quite pop, too melodic for minimal and a little too refined for the nascent indie electronic scene, it seemed like they might not be around for long. But they held on and the synth pop world eventually caught up with them. Greenspan produced Jessy Lanza's debut along with her and released singles on Dan Snaith's Jiaolong imprint while Didemus has kept a lower profile. When they come together as Junior Boys their output is distinctly their own. Greenspan's voice hovers over the synthetic bed all airy croon, by turns husky and delicate, sometimes breaking into falsetto. Their style is a distinct, insular world that the duo has crafted over the years. Big Black Coat is sure to please fans, the Boys are nothing if not consistent. Includes the songs: "Big Black Coat," "Over It," "And It's Forever," and a cover of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love." Eleven tracks in all. Released by City Slang on 180 gram vinyl.

• 180 gram pressing
• music label: City Slang 2016

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 02/2016