3rd full-length album by Philadelphia-via-Lititz, PA rockers The Districts. Popular Manipulations follows 2013’s Telephone and 2015’s A Flourish and a Spoil with a bigger sound and more mature songs. Rob Grote’s theatric voice recalls the vocal acrobatics of David Bowie, as well as Win Butler’s Arcade Fire gang vocals and Conor Oberst’s more charismatic cadences. The record traverses a number of moods, despite being decidedly loud and stadium-sized throughout. Zoe Reynolds of Philly band Kississippi lends guest vocals to “Violet” and “”Point.” Popular Manipulations is mostly self-produced, save for a handful of songs steered by A Flourish And A Spoil producer John Congleton. Fans of Brand New, Of Montreal and Arcade Fire will be pleased. Indie-exclusive orange vinyl pressing with printed insert. Tracks to check: “Violet,” “Salt,” “Rattling Of The Heart.”

• indie-exclusive orange vinyl pressing
• printed insert
• digital download included
• limited edition
• music label: Fat Possum Records 2017

reviewed by Kurupt FM Intern 08/2017