Canadian indie pop duo
Frontperson combine the ample talents of two respected musicians who do indeed have experience as frontpeople, but are probably better known for their work as collaborators. Since 2006, Mark Andrew Hamilton has served as the songwriter and brain trust of the collective project
Woodpigeon, an intricate chamber pop outfit through which dozens of different musicians have filtered throughout its years together. Meanwhile, Vancouver's
Kathryn Calder earned her full-time membership in
the New Pornographers' lineup around that same time, after serving as
Neko Case's stand-in on tour. She later launched her own concurrent solo career as well.
Frontrunner, the collaborative debut from these two artists, sounds very much like what one might expect given their combined back catalogs. A generally low-key affair filled with quirky analog synths, fingerpicked guitars, and wonderfully detailed arrangements, it's an album that doesn't necessarily scream for your attention, but rewards it with excellent songwriting, subtle twists and turns, and the myriad nuances that come from writers with deep record collections.
Frontperson are at their best when Hamilton and
Calder meet in the lush woodsy intersection of their united assets, creating dark-toned indie pop gems with an enchanted feel like "Long Night" and "Young Love." The more uptempo "Tick-Tock (Frontrunner)," which tonally honors the muted but determined spirit of the album's oddly endearing cover photo, is another highlight on this solid debut. ~ Timothy Monger