The Darcys are a lesson in determination. After the release of their first album, Endless Waters, the band spent three years working on the follow up before their original singer Kirby Best quit, and the following year was filled with legal battles and re-recordings. This would have killed a lot of bands, but the Darcys are back, now as a quartet, with their new self-titled set.

  My personal favourites include “Edmonton to Purgatory” and “Des Animaux,” which are two of the more upbeat numbers that alleviate the deep melancholy that much of the album seems to be struck with. “When I Am New Again” is also worth mentioning here because guitarist Jason Couse (who took over as vocalist) takes a rare opportunity to flex his singing range. He’s quite capable, but too often his quiet vocals gets lost in the very tightly knit and deeply layered sound. It’s a sound that demands extra attention and careful consideration, rather than first-time enjoyment.

  Fans of the Darcy’s first album will love this one, but I’m not sure how many new fans it will garner them. Ultimately, The Darcys is a progressive rock symphony for compulsive shoegazers, and I mean that in the best possible way.