Heart is the sophomore album from the Montreal indie pop/rock outfit Stars. Originally released in 2003, the 11-tracker is characterized by lush instrumentation, whispery melodies, and arching '80s synth-pop influences. Check out "Elevator Love Letter," a jangly pop tune depicting a shy dude falling for a rich girl, or "Romantic Comedy," an acoustic guitar-backed exchange between a bickering couple: "You think you're so bad but you're just badly raised / You twisted and turned all the love that we made." More love longs fill up the LP, and in addition to the catchy songwriting and earworm melodies, it's the sincerity that's laid out from the opening moments of the record that'll keep listeners coming back: "I am ____, and this is my heart…"

• limited edition translucent light blue vinyl
• music label: Last Gang Records 2003 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 06/18