Death Cab for Cutie look forwards on I Built You a Tower

For amidst touring the 20th anniversaries of Transatlanticism and Plans, the band instead of overly looking back, found themselves looking towards their future with the wistful and personal I Built You a Tower. It sees the band re-team with producer John Congleton, with whom they had worked on their previous album, 2022’s Asphalt Meadows.

Death Cab for Cutie has never stuck to one lane, and that is evident from the opening two tracks, which offer a perfect contradiction. The band’s mellower, more indie folk side is on full display in the opener “Full of Stars”, talking of daydreaming and largely consisting of soft guitars and Ben Gibbard’s vocals. From the opening drums and grooves of “Punching The Flowers”, the mood couldn’t be more different. There is more propulsion and more of an indie rock feel, it is full of unbridled energy and sure to become a live staple. This melange immediately tells us that this is a record that continues to push forward Gibbard and the band’s repertoire.

The first part of the title track captures the blend found across the record, a softness to its opening bars and Gibbard’s vocals, with meatier riffs lurking in the background. This is the sound of the band in full flight, working harmoniously and clearly at ease, from the lusciousness and smooth sounds of “Stone Over Water” that talks of reckless abandon and risk to the fizz and fury of “How Heavenly a State”. It is a whistle-stop tour of all the corners of the band’s past, channelled into something exhilarating.

Even after nearly 30 years as a band, Death Cab for Cutie continue to evolve and prove adept at moving with the times. Turning 50 this year, Gibbard’s vocals and other duties show no signs of softening. He is still capable of shifting gears at ease, delivering a record that has the exuberance of youth and plenty of purpose. This album saw the band return to their indie roots, after a decade on major labels, this freedom can clearly be heard in the end product. If it’s not a return to their earliest sound, it does capture a carefree attitude. It’s far from the sound of a band at a crossroads, this is some of the most urgent music of their career.