Portugal. the Man's 2011 record In the Mountain, In the Cloud was the light. Evil Friends is its companion dark. It's very ambitious, as is all PTM's stuff, but this record is arrogant. It's dense and perplexing, full of strange sounds and melodical asides. Out of the gate, you notice the production of Dangermouse (Black Keys, Sparklehorse, Broken Bells). It's very bright and in your face, which turns the layered instruments, memorable melodies, guitar licks, and vocals into something spectacular.

"Creep In A T-Shirt" has John Gourley telling us "I don't know what I know, but I know where it's at, just because I lost it doesn't mean I want it back, you don't get it." It's sort of as if he knew what a polarizing record this would be for PTM fans. Some amazing backing vocals follow and the bridge foreshadows the chorus of the next song, title track, and lead single, "Evil Friends." His arrogance comes out here too: "Before you born, I was already sinning." The remade chorus is magic.

This carnival of an album doesn't let up. The mix is pumped full of bass, and multitracks are spread out all over the pan. Another standout, "Modern Jesus," has an acoustic hot in the mix, with a myriad of weird synth and key sounds, a great singalong chorus about not needing anyone. Running themes of being the underdog, independence, and of course, evil, are veined through each song. "Atomic Man," jumps and swirls around with so many guitar sounds, and some downright killer melodies. The outro is pretty dark as it slows and slows: "I'm the moon that pulls the tides that take sand." Too cool.

The mood shifts half way through as "Sea of Air" lends a bit more optimism to the record. When it busts triumphantly into the proper chorus, it's almost Beatles-esque. This is the benefit of a record having two sides, it makes the start of side B more meaningful. Next, "Waves" gets socio-political, "No one cares about the waves at the bottom of the ocean." Another great outro on that one, too. As if this couldn't possibly get cooler, "Holy Roller" is arranged so perfectly, the horns and vocals are amazing. "Someday Believers" is grand, the production and additions so epic, it feels stifling, but in a good, evil way. And it's not even the end.

Evil Friends is so strong and consistent, it's crazy. Every spin, you notice different little things in the mix, and it stays interesting throughout. It is recommended to listen at as high fidelity as possible. Loud, too. It really takes on a life of its own. I've become a big fan of this band for always being ambitious, and never resting on their laurels, and this record is no exception.