One member less and four years absence are the significant numbers where Interpol’s fifth studio album is concerned. Despite a prolonged gap and a readjustment in regards to personnel, El Pintor sees the group slip nicely back into place.
In many ways El Pintor will offer enough to entice and satisfy already established fans of Interpol (although perhaps not as prominently as previous releases) as their ethereal presence and under layer of Neo-gothic are still present and intact. It’s also a comeback, which leans toward the uninitiated as well. Whether consciously or not, the band steered away from prominently featured basslines and the lower end of the scale, and instead invested more stock in lead guitars and crafting a fuller sound. There’s still a sharpness and a steering drive behind their work, only now it’s a bit more weighted down.
Perhaps the more surprising find is that there are more optimistic tones to Interpol’s return. That’s not to say Paul Banks’ distinct voice doesn’t stretch out to familiar icy territories, but as a general rule the brushstrokes of El Pintor are a lot more positive. Tracks like “My Blue Supreme” and “Same Town, New Story” are significantly more upbeat in comparison to their previous material, and although some people might not be overly enthused by this slight alteration, I personally think it’s a welcome change of pace. This simple but effective tweak could very well prove to be a second wind for the group. With a little bit of the reliable blended with shades of difference, Interpol’s fifth full-length LP is a strong, emboldened reappearance — one that sees a seasoned act reinvigorated and ready to move forward.
