There has always been a measure of surrealism and otherworldliness that defines the music of War On Drugs. It tends to build from balladry before erupting into anthemic magic. On “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” the fifth record full length from Adam Granduciel and company, the band has become more open to straight forward melodies than its historically stonier meandering groove. There is more Springsteen than Dylan here, more accessible Americana than tortured indie rock, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This is of course the second major label debut for the Philly band who has taken it’s time trying to figure out who and what they want to be.
There are no major thematic departures here, but more of that same focus on love, loss, hope and pain. There are upbeat rockers like “Wasted” and “Harmonia’s Dream” and soulful crooners like “Living Proof,” but everything is distinctly War On Drugs each song four to seven minutes - more like novellas than just pop songs. On album eponymous album standout with backing vocals from Lucius we hear them sing: “I'm gonna say everything that there is to say /Although you've taken everything I need away.” If you were pining for an album to finally lift us out of a Covid haze filled with optimism and hope, this is the one.