After three acclaimed albums—Funeral (2004), Neon Bible (2007), and The Suburbs (2010)—the expectations for Arcade Fire’s fourth album were exceptionally high, particularly when it was announced this one would be a double album. On The Suburbs, Win Butler and Co. had fully found their stride, both in terms of musical innovation and lyrical maturity. Where would they go next? Well, naturally, to James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem to help produce the album. Who would have guessed? No one—which is a credit to Butler and the rest of the band. They love to morph stylistically and refuse to stay in one artistic place.
Win Butler’s musical vision is very expansive, evidently because he’s a devout musical historian. With this album the main influences seem to be early 80s European dance rock and, to a lesser degree, Caribbean and world music, a la the Clash’s Sandinista album and the Jam’s The Gift (there’s even a song on Reflektor that dissolves into Jamaican street noise much like on Sandinista—which I consider a tip of the hat to the Clash), and there’s even a bit of Smiths influence (on “You Already Know”). Some reviewers referred to Stones and Beatles influences, but I don’t hear it. Others have suggested a Bowie influence, which makes more sense. But whatever the real influences, Reflektor is a sonic treat, bursting with fresh ideas and creatively re-treaded ones.Fans and music critics alike will, no doubt, continue to debate about Reflektor. But this is often the case with the most innovative albums (Bowie’s Low and Radiohead’s Kid A come to mind). Reflektor is a significant achievement and will eventually be regarded as such, even by those poor benighted souls who don’t quite get it now. In the meantime, Arcade Fire will no doubt continue to explore new musical vistas.
Good review! I agree that this album did not meet expectations, it defied them. If you want a repeat of a prior album, don’t listen to Arcade Fire. This album may have some “skips,” but I consider it their most creative work yet.