By Alexa Solis

After two rather uninspiring releases, Interpol’s fifth studio album “El Pintor” is the high-octane record that finally breaks the band free of their lengthy creative slump.

It’s been four years since their lackluster self-titled record, and each band member took that time to pursue their individual projects. Their time away from Interpol has seemingly given the band a renewed passion for making music that manifests itself in the vitality of the record.

“El Pintor’s” manic, driving energy is prevalent throughout the entirety of the album.  Hearkening back to the days of “Turn on the Bright Lights,” the record’s gritty lyrics are complemented by the overpowering, yet refined, instrumentation. Everything from the guitars, to the drums and bass is dynamic and powerful, yet they never compete with one another. The mixing is done well and is able to weave together bold elements to create a cohesive sound.

The opener “All The Rage Back Home” sets the tone for the album’s dynamic atmosphere with aggressive bass, accompanied by a lively guitar. Every song goes off like a live wire, and is a most welcome departure from the more lethargic releases of Interpol’s more recent past.

While each song is filled with pent up energy, the songs manage to weave deftly from one to another. There are moments of rest to offset the otherwise standard  aggressive rock. “Same Town, New Story,” is a shining moment in which the band slows the pace down, and creates a vague yet haunting narrative of a woman standing by her criminal man. However, some of the slower songs do fall flat. “My Blue Supreme,” failed to be either musically or lyrically interesting. Given that the instrumentation is bland and the lyrics are just as derivative, it’s an particularly bad song in what was otherwise an exceptional album.

The frenetic yet anxious energy that permeates the album is indeed the calling card of a successful Interpol record. While it is incredibly refreshing to see them once again doing what they do best, it is almost identical to the Interpol of the past.

There hasn’t been much of an evolution in their sound, so much as an incredible leap in their ability to execute it.

“El Pintor” makes it clear that Interpol is back and stronger than ever before.

3.5/5

Alexa Solis can be reached at asolis@sagebrush.unr.edu.