

For her eighth album, Mann stays true to dreamy form, her knack for writing hooky songs balanced by her astute observations and whimsical storytelling. But it wouldn't be a Mann LP without a healthy dose of cynicism. On “Labrador,” her dog Maisie is a metaphor for life’s takers, while “Living a Lie”—a subtly orchestrated duet with The Shins’ James Mercer—is sardonic and hopeful in equal measure. And the title track finds Mann at her witty best, complete with New Wave synths and peppy guitars.