Mountain Moves

Even though politics were inescapable at the time of ' release, had a typically creative way to address the issues of the late 2010s. The result of their residency at , the album finds the band collaborating with like-minded artists on songs of resistance that emphasize the importance of joining together. On "Con Sordino," they celebrate free speech (and song) as rallies their forces with the equally charming and confident manifesto "we know we can sing." Adding new voices doesn't dilute 's signature sound; instead, it expands it. joins the group on "Slow Motion Detonation," a testament to enduring resistance, while the throaty pleas of 's make for a lively contrast with 's optimism on "I Will Spite Survive." Later, brings her expertise at making political protest beautiful to "Come Down Here & Say That," which manages to be graceful and confrontational at the same time as she and sing about cowards and dreamers. Indeed, is one of 's prettiest albums in some time, and its eclectic, full-hearted pop plays like a more concise version of , particularly on the proggy parable "Kokoye." Time and again, the band proves it hasn't run out of styles to combine, nor ways to combine them: "Your Dystopic Creation Doesn't Fear You," which melds surf, funk, and pop with 's rap, is a wild ride even for . Still, they manage to make the most unlikely juxtapositions work, especially on the opera-tinged version of Chilean ethnomusicologist 's "Gracias a la Vida" and the boogie-woogie-meets-funk cover of ' "Freedom Highway." ' whimsy often feels like a party that just happens to be political, but it's this sense of joy that makes protest -- and 's career -- sustainable. ~ Heather Phares