Citizen’s persistent sonic evolution and refusal to make the same record twice has earned them a reputation as one of the most consistently captivating bands in modern rock music. It’s precisely this commitment to their craft that has led to their new album, Halcyon Blues. It’s a dynamic and confident culmination of all that’s come before, making it crystal clear that for all their sonic restlessness, Citizen have always known exactly who they are.From the start, the band–vocalist Mat Kerekes, guitarist Nick Hamm, bassist Eric Hamm, along with newer members guitarist Mason Mercer and drummer Ben Russin–were steadfastly determined to follow their creativity wherever it led. Over the years they deftly moved through raw emo, menacing post-hardcore, anthemic alternative, garage-y indie pop, and so much more. Now Halcyon Blues brings elements early albums while embracing the epic scope and undeniable hooks of their more recent work. These are huge rock songs with fittingly huge emotions, but the youthful frustration of from throughout their entire catalog together into a singular and instantly satisfying record that just sounds like Citizen.Where past Citizen albums have felt like direct responses to the preceding release, Halcyon Blues sounds like the group wrapping their arms around their entire catalog and carrying it forward. Recorded by Kerekes in his home studio in Toledo, then mixed by Tom Lorde-Alge (U2, Weezer, Blink182), the record taps into the urgency and ferocity of Citizen’s early work has grown up too, replaced by a more nuanced, though no less cutting, adult perspective.
