Will Butler Policy (Merge) Three stars
Will Butler has always been Arcade Fire's wild card. He has been majorly responsible for the Montreal band's adventurous sounds and is a marauding onstage presence. And now the 32-year-old multi-instrumentalist cements his credentials as a sharp songwriter with his debut solo album, Policy. Unlike Arcade Fire's propensity to keep things operatic and a tad nerdy, Butler's set of songs are tight and varied. The opener, Take My Side, is powered by steady country-rock riffs, while the follow-up, Anna, shifts gears totally with its minimal electro groove. Finish What I Started is a piano ballad that is the perfect soundtrack to that moment of regret, while the rocking What I Want has Butler showcasing his love for The Smiths. Policy may sound a bit like a throwaway effort but that's the point – it's an invigorating collection to tide you over until the next Arcade Fire offering.
sasaeed@thenational.ae
