Sometimes less is more, as the adage goes. Thankfully, Junior Boys gets it. This restraint is precisely what makes their aesthetic so appealing’far from electronic music that ODs on glitches, blips and production acrobatics, these Canadians tread cautiously, creating carefully-crafted, intricate beats and effects.

On Begone Dull Care, Junior Boys step away from their heartbreak-driven first two albums, embracing a warmer, fuller sound that more prominently features Jeremy Greenspan’s breathy vocals. Devoted fans need not worry, though’the album still holds the melancholic flavor they’ve come to perfect, just with some added twinkling synths, hints at old-school R&B, and a splash of funk for good measure. Album highlight ‘Bits & Pieces’ is pure seduction on the dance floor: with a hook like I see you better when the lights are out, it’s no surprise why Junior Boys are notoriously categorized as ‘bedroom-pop.’ ‘Parallel Lines’ similarly delves into a dreamy, dark space, whereas ‘Hazel’ is an upbeat romp exploring new love, and ‘The Animator’ slows it down for a sweet and simple tale of adoration, striking all the right chords. Junior Boys bring a sense of life and emotion to an oft impersonal and calculated genre. Theirs is a popularity built on human connection.

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