Ooh La La [Mint Green LP], Guster, Vinyl

Guster’s ninth studio LP, Ooh La La reveals a band fully in touch with the voracious creative energy that first inspired their formation. A major leap forward for lead vocalist Ryan Miller, guitarist Adam Gardner, drummer Brian Rosenworcel, and multi-instrumentalist Luke Reynolds, Ooh La La ultimately matches that wide-eyed spirit with a newly heightened sense of confidence, conviction, and commitment to the raw sincerity that’s made them so beloved. The follow-up to 2019’s Look Alive, Ooh La La marks a bold departure from its predecessor. This time around, the band worked mainly with producer Josh Kaufman (The Hold Steady, The National, Bonny Light Horseman), holing up at Isokon Studio in Woodstock and carving out a lush and expansive sound rich in acoustic guitars and graceful piano work. With additional production from Ron Aniello (Bruce Springsteen, Bryce Dessner), Rich Costey (Death Cab for Cutie, Of Monsters and Men), and Primarily mixed by Peter Katis (The National, Kurt Vile), the result endlessly radiates an undeniable warmth, even as its songs delve into the more daunting aspects of living in modern times.