Okay, hands up if you knew that Peter, Bjorn & John was still around? This is a band primarily known for two things: the song “Young Folks” and a song that became the theme for the annoying “2 Broke Girls.” Now, they have returned for their first record in seemingly five years or so.

They seem to be a band stuck in the mid-2000s; for example, the opening track, “Dominos” sounds like something you would’ve heard back in 2004 right alongside Franz Ferdinand. It’s not a bad song, but a little too retro for this guy’s taste. Fortunately, all is not lost; a track like “Do-Si-Do,” while still very retro, comes across as a great pop track that sounds like ear candy for the new generation.

“A Long Goodbye” and “Pretty Dumb, Pretty Lame” are pretty decent, proving that the guys still know how to write worthwhile song. The omnipresent whistling that made “Young Folks” a hit is back on the title track, and while it’s okay, it just doesn’t stand out on its own. But the real standout is “In This Town,” which is a great song for 2016: fantastic melodies, great vocals, and an all-around great upbeat vibe that really makes it the gem that it is.

While this isn’t one of the best records of the year, it shows a band really trying to stay relevant. For the most part, they succeed. Some of these songs will get stuck in your head. But others, like “It’s Your Call,” don’t do a whole lot to strengthen the plot. It’s still nice to see a band not going through the motions of making a record and coming across completely half-assed. So while this record is just okay, it’s great to know the band really tried and didn’t throw in the towel like dozens of their contemporaries.

Rating: C

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