Now that I’ve spent a bit of time with the New Pornographers’ forthcoming Matador release, Challengers, I’m crawling into a songwriting void and never picking up a guitar again. Add in Ryan Adams’ and Spoon’s recent releases, and its clear that the gods of song craft have drained the talent pool into other vessels.

(The world should be so lucky).

At first I found the mellow, more muted material on Challengers to be a disappointment of sorts - I was waiting for the big, party-band hooks of Twin Cinema to jump out of the stereo speakers and pogo all over my eardrums. When I got through the new album’s 49 minutes with no huge pop chorus in sight or sound, I knew I’d have to work a little to appreciate this record. Fortunately, I’m a glass-half-full kind of listener and I decided to look at the stripped down energy of Challengers as an opportunity to really get to know Carl Newman and Dan Bejar as songwriters.

Newman’s gone through some major life changes recently, including a move from artist-enclave Vancouver to the bittersweet chaos of New York City to be near his girlfriend. We had a really nice chat recently for a feature I wrote for a Chicago magazine in which he mentioned the absolute wonder he finds in his busy bandmates’ continued interest in the NPs. That dedication manifests itself in the maturity apparent on Challengers - the lovely pop melodies are here, but they’re subtly presented. Stripping away the guns-blazing rock hugeness of Twin Cinema and leaving the songs to stand on their own merit may have been Newman and company’s finest decision, as “My Rights Versus Yours,” “Failsafe,” and “Challengers” prove that the New Pornographers don’t need to keep toes tapping to warrant the label of one of the best independent pop acts in America.

Don’t misunderstand me, it’s not all strummy-strummy - the hook-loving NP fan base will revel in the eclectic pop of “Myriad Harbor,” Bejar’s finest contribution to Challengers, and the throwback jaunt of Newman’s “All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth.”

Though the varied career commitments of the New Pornographers certainly makes recording and touring a different situation from most bands, ultimately the NPS benefit from being a “collective:” instead of relying on the talents of one or two members to carry the band, the Pornos are constantly pushing each other to be better. It’s this obvious respect for each other and love of creative collaboration that allows the rawer songs on Challengers to really shine.

The New Pornographers - My Rights Versus Yours

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