Departure, the latest release from Canadian electropop band Fidgital, is a moody, almost dreamy album. It is a departure from their past, more frenetic efforts, shifting down-tempo into jazzy ambience. Their signature dense, playful lyrics have been slimmed down to a sparse minimum.

Using the language of airport lounges, visas and hotels, Departure could be the soundtrack to the life of any homesick frequent flier. The ethereal vocals float high above the deep, bass-rich melody. While the album has a sad, wistful edge, the group's wit and originality are on full display. After months of heavy iPhone rotation, I still find myself noticing new details in the lyrics and instrumentation.

The opening track, "Make Up Friends," easily gets stuck in the head, its foghorn-like bass line contrasting the falsetto vocals (“I get so lonely that I make up friends out of thin air”). The catchy and incredibly haunting "Zeppelin," a paean of lost opportunities, is a joy to listen to even as it crushes the soul with the weight of regret.

Well worth a listen, Departure has recently been hitting the charts in the US (#18 on CMJ) and Canada (#2 Chart electronic). With any luck, Fidgital will go on tour with their new album. They are outstanding live performers, as seen frequently on the stages of their native Vancouver and on previous tours in Japan and the United States.

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