Sunset Rubdown features Spencer Krug, co-vocalist/lyricist of Montreal's mighty Wolf Parade. In fact, Wolf Parade's best song ("I'll Believe in Anything") is actually a reworking of a Sunset Rubdown song. Once a true solo project, Krug now has a full-fledged band (including members of Pony Up!) to more fully experiment with those sublime synth sounds heard intermittently on Wolf Parade's Apologies to the Queen Mary.

These are pop melodies featuring mostly distorted vocals wrapped around psychedelic sounds, and buried under layers of dense orchestration. Without an instantly accessible sound, Sunset Rubdown might not be right for Sub Pop, but they sure sound right by me. Just don't go in expecting verse/chorus/verse.

Sunset Rubdown plays Mercury Lounge, Monday, May 22nd, and Wednesday, May 24th.