8 Albums Released, Metric Continues to Amaze

Metric has remained my all-time favourite band for over a year now, I cannot express enough how much their music has done for my tastes, entertainment and well-being in this short time period! 

To shortly revise their history, Metric are a Canadian indie rock band that formed in 1998, lead singer, keyboardist and songwriter Emily Haines and lead guitarist James Shaw met previously and originally started as a musical duo originally named Mainstream - it wasn't until they met bassist Joshua Winstead and drummer Joules Scott-Key they released their first official debut album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? in 2003.

Metric (from left to right) - James Shaw, Joules Scott-Key, Emily Haines, Joshua Winstead

It was just a regular evening when I discovered their 2009 hit "Help I'm Alive" from their 4th album Fantasies through a blessing of a YouTube video recommendation - the butterfly used for the single really made me click, listening to this track I was instantly entranced on their sound - the drums, lyricism, guitar and everything just instantly awestruck me. I knew I had to dive into the rest of their discography.

Metric - Help I'm Alive (2009)

Exploring their discography I felt every album had a different energy yet still had that unique sound that the band carries into every song, every album connected with me in different ways which I found incredible that 7 albums in I couldn't say I disliked any of them (still very much the case with Formentera II!). I think they are so different that it's only fair that I share my thoughts on all of them.

Note: I wont be discussing Cosmopolis, acoustic versions of tracks, Eclipse, Black Sheep or any EPs

Grow Up And Blow Away (2001)

While this album is only recorded and produced by Emily Haines and James Shaw and was shelved until 2007, I absolutely love the almost jazzy sounds and the percussion included in it, it is a bit of a sadder album to me but I think it really suits it - my favourite track off it has to be "White Gold", the lyrics in it have to among my top lines ever.

Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (2003)

Their official debut album, and what an album it is. I love the early 2000s garage band sounds in it that are present throughout the entirety of it. From the heartbreaking "Hustle Rose", Emily mimicking the hi-hat sound with "Succexy" and gentle tracks such as "Calcuation Theme" and "Love Is A Place", every track on this album really feels strong to me, it was originally my favourite album of theirs. My favourite track on it has to be "Hustle Rose", I love the way the song progresses and the 2 minute instrumental to finish it.

Live It Out (2005)

Honestly this is the Metric album that took the longest to grow on me, but now I can say that I love every track on it. It has a very heavy feeling with social commentary that I love from nearly every song, consistently a quality album that I adore. My favourite track on it has to be "The Police and the Private", it has this homey feel and lyrics that I feel weirdly nostalgic for - a lovely comfort song.

Fantasies (2009)

Likely their most popular album due to "Help I'm Alive" and "Gold Guns Girls", but for good reason - its a fan favourite from what I've seen. I love the variation from tracks such as "Stadium Love" and "Satellite Mind" that sport a high energy rock energy while compared to tracks such as "Twilight Galaxy" and "Blindness" that emit a slower synth heavy sound where you can really appreciate the lyrics. My favourite track off of this album is "Blindness", the song writing in it really connects to me and the progression and pacing of the track is perfect.

Synthetica (2012)

Synthetica is probably the most middle-ground album to me of Metric's albums, but it is a really great album. My favourite aspect of this album is how the songs are placed on it, they all connect to each other extremely well and it feels like a very cohesive journey throughout (particularly "Youth Without Youth" into "Speed The Collapse") - I feel as it is best listened to as a whole. My favourite track on it is "Artificial Nocturne", the way the instruments progress in this song over nearly 6 minutes is perfectly constructed and I appreciate how it sets the theme for the rest of the album

Pagans in Vegas (2015)

In accordance with many of Metric's fans - I also share the same feelings about Pagans in Vegas, it is my least favourite Metric album despite myself having great admiration for it. Pagans in Vegas explores a more electronic sound with experimental vibes lacking in previous albums while still sprouting the Metric lyricism. My favourite track off the album is "The Governess" which gives a very homey and country aesthetic unique to this album.

Art of Doubt (2018)

After their less well received album Pagans in Vegas, Metric proved to their fans that their quality isn't going downhill. This is my favourite album of theirs and all 12 tracks have their place on it - it has tracks that any fan can enjoy such as "Dark Saturday" with it's heavy rock sound, "Risk" with it's extremely catchy chorus and provocative lyrics and, "Art of Doubt" for fans looking for Emily shouting. My favourite track off this album is "Seven Rules", it has a calming atmosphere while having haunting/interpretive lyrics while having an increasingly intense ending.

Formentera (2022)

Formentera perfectly encapsulates the mental place that I needed to travel to during the COVID-19 pandemic, the band describe it perfectly as a location that you can escape to from our reality and dream of a calmer future - you can definitely hear the location they wanted to escape to during the pandemic within the album. I appreciate how the album starts in a pessimistic fashion with songs such as "Doomscroller","What Feels Like Eternity" and "Enemies of the Ocean" then progresses to a more positive light with calmer tracks such as "I Will Never Settle" and "Paths in the Sky". I can't choose my favourite track off this album, but it is tied between "Enemies of the Ocean" and "Formentera".

Formentera II (2023)

I haven't had much time to fully appreciate Formentera II although, it has already claimed it's place behind Art of Doubt and Formentera. I really love every track on this album, the connection it has to Formentera is instantly recognisable with the electronic sounds and emotions portrayed throughout the album and completes Formentera II's message. My favourite track off this album is "Descendants", a peaceful acoustic track that transitions into a stressful electronic build ups before releasing all tensions and returning to an instrumental and dreamy end.

Metric continue to impress their listeners and experiment with their sound album after album while staying faithful to their sound after over 20 years of producing music. I doubt another band will take their place in my favourite after the influence they have had on me, they've changed how I view music and I have found many other artists that I love due to them . I can't wait for what sounds they will approach in the future.