Twenty years on from their debut album, Death Cab For Cutie are still discovering sonic curves and new grooves whilst remaining the same band we fell in love with.

There are a lot of experiences that come with being a band for so long, and Death Cab For Cutie hone in on these to incorporate elements of reflection and introspection on Thank You For Today. As singer and guitarist Ben Gibbard explains, “I realised early on in the process that I wanted to write a record that is very much who we are. I wanted to go more inward, and create something more personal.”

A dreamy opening comes in the form of I Dreamt We Spoke Again. As faded vocals haze over nostalgic electronics, a hypnagogic feeling is created and there’s a familiarity that will make you feel like you’ve found home. Haunting doorbell chimes echo in the chorus backed with a bass line whilst expansive vocal harmonies float above. The kinetic Summer Years breezes with a tone of nostalgia and longing, as Gibbard sings, “I wonder where you are tonight.” There’s a heaviness to the otherwise light track to be found in the lyricism, and as the instrumentals flutter about underneath, you can’t help but be affected by the emotional weariness.

Floating in like a summer breeze is the upbeat Gold Rush. With airy guitar lines and bright tambourine beats, it’s a sprightly track that is reminiscent of summer. Anthemic chants throughout create a feel-good vibe, and a glittering piano filters through like sunlight through a window. A wandering bass line in Your Hurricane brings a slight melancholic edge, and a balladic quality is created through the metaphorical lyricism.

When We Drive is underlined by a note of positivity, and it’s a gorgeous piece as bass and ambient electronics swirl around you to create a warm texture. Sweet melodies drive Autumn Love, and mellifluous electronics dazzle exuberantly. Catchy vocals and airy guitars work together to create a euphoric feeling, as an acoustic guitar adds in a different timbre to the texture.

Meanwhile, Northern Lights tells a delightful narrative and with its whirlwind of synths, hi-hats and reverb-tinged guitars, it’s a kaleidescopic piece as different colours are explored. The vocals of Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry lend themselves in the chorus to create a shimmering texture as guitars tinker away underneath. Ruminating lyrics show themselves in You Moved Away, and instruments wash together subtly and blend into each other. Upbeat Near/Far will have you shaking your head along to its hints of late-80’s pop sensibilities, but you’ll be pulled right back with the sentimental 60 & Punk. Dominated by a mournful piano, it reflects on reality as the lyrics question “But when you’re looking in the mirror do you see the kid that you used to be?”

There is no doubt that this album bears semblance to their debut album released twenty years ago, but this is also the sound of a band that is continually discovering new faces to their music as they explore new curves and corners. In a marriage of old and new, Thank You For Today is an evocative piece that is wonderfully familiar yet entirely new.