In the seven years between albums, Swedish dance rock stalwarts the Sounds took a break from music to focus on family and their personal lives, issuing just a single EP to tide fans over in their absence. Returning in 2020 with their sixth set, Things We Do for Love, the crew took those years of change and heartache to craft their best album since 2011's Something to Die For, elevating their '80s-indebted, pop-savvy sound with a grace and vulnerability that signals growth is possible nearly two decades into a career. Whereas 2013's Weekend was weary and a bit rudderless, Things We Do for Love reinvigorates the Sounds with energetic bursts reminiscent of their early days (the pulsing urgency of "Hollow" is a standout) and carries them into the future with some fresh, impeccably produced surprises. The epic, neon-washed "Miami" is an expansive gem infused with soulful vocals and cinematic synths, as the acoustic comforts of "Home" adopt an unexpected Pet Sounds production style that works strikingly well. Meanwhile, veering in the opposite direction, "Dim the Lights" and "Stay Free" strut and stride with cocksure, arena-rock attitude. They even add to their familiar Ultravox/Missing Persons proclivities with the distinctly Depeche Mode-y pleasures of the carnal "Fingertips." The biggest sonic surprise arrives on the mid-tempo weeper "Changes," an apologetic beauty that finds vocalist Maja Ivarsson pleading, "I know you're tired, but we'll work it out." It's one of the most un-Sounds moments on the album and that only serves to elevate it. Indeed, the sentiment on "Changes" binds much of the record together, a series of revealing and uncomfortably honest inspections of relationship reality, warts and all. From hitting restart to recapture old thrills ("Bonnie and Clyde") to craving something fresh to shake off the "old blues" ("Safe and Sound"), Things We Do for Love offers very little in the way of hopeful relationship advice, instead providing a relatable set of reminders for anyone struggling to keep it together. Often bittersweet, the album excels by retaining the core Sounds formula -- catchy hooks, impeccable production -- as the group pushes their emotions and musical boundaries forward for the first time in a while. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi

1		Things We Do for Love
2		Safe and Sound
3		Changes
4		Bonnie and Clyde
5		Hollow
6		Fingertips
7		Dreaming of You
8		Dim the Lights
9		Stay Free
10		Home
11		Miami

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