St. Arnaud
Cordova Bay, 2026
9/10
The Canadian indie-pop artist Ian St.Arnaud, i.e. St. Arnaud, has already made an impression with a pair of quirky albums, but this 3rd LP recruits a full band for the diverse and unpredictable climate.
“Your House” opens with St. Arnaud’s flowing guitar and upbeat vocals, where a punchy mood welcomes animated trumpet, too, and “How Lucky” follows with Connor Mead’s thumping drums that suit the animated melodies.
Further along, the heartfelt and soulful “Love You (For Real)” enlists some grooves, while “Pretend Like You Do” makes great use of Jonathan Chavez’s frisky keys amid the dense guitar riffs and plenty of sing-alongs.
Moving closer to the end, “Better Than Fine” offers an intimate moment of emotive storytelling and rich songwriting, and “She’s Got To Wait” exits with Tory Rosso’s meticulous guitar adding much to the textured and timeless rock ideas.
St. Arnaud resides on the ‘goofy side of self-serious indie-rock’ where the many hooks, spontaneity and slacker aesthetic makes for another atypical and exciting listen.
Travels well with: St. Arnaud- Love On The Front Lawn; Nameless Friends- The Quiet Part, Loudly