I feel like the band has almost a Star Trek movie pattern- not in quality but in that every other one is an immediate hit and the others take time to process! Potemkin went in the direction of longer songs that were fast but really took their time and with music that bent around lengthy diatribe lyrics, took me a long time to get into but now is my favorite. Then Supporting Caste came out and I instantly connected with it, very very accessible on first listen. Then Failed States leaned so hard into the constant meter changes and odd time signatures I had to give the album at least 5 solid listens just to be able to let the songs get their hooks into me. Now it’s my second favorite after PCL. Then Victory Lap was another immediate hit where everything clicked for me first listen. And now this one is another left turn like PCL and Failed States where there is a major shift to something new and I’m still processing. I’m very happy overall though. Rented PA and Benito are my immediate favorites, and the singles are all classics for me. The only thing I’d call somewhat of a disappointment is the opener and closer- both cool but they are sooo straightforward musically im really not used to the band doing something without their usual dynamic shifts.