Pe'ahi

Additional digital tomfoolery, vocal choirs, and song complexities ensure that The Raveonettes aren’t treading over the same old ground; they're unearthing new ways to celebrate the end of the world. The death of Sune Rose Wagner’s father on Christmas Eve 2013 forced Wagner to take a different view of life and inspired him to work with greater intensity. Songs such as “A Hell Below” and “The Rains of May” capture new subtleties in the duo’s music, though Sharin Foo sounds as seductive and cool as ever. The addition of coproducer Justin Meldal-Johnsen further pushed the band out of their comfort zone. “Killer in the Streets” appears to sport a gospel choir in the mix, while “Kill!” shifts to danceable beats instead of the usual Jesus & Mary Chain–style overdrive pounding. “Endless Sleeper” allows for a slow ponder into ethereal modes, with rhythm tracks moving in and out. “Sisters” shifts between two extremes with jarring results. “Z-Boys” sports the artistic growth that The Raveonettes have been promising and delivering on their more recent studio albums. They’re digging into and expanding their roots.