Arcade Fire, 'Reflektor'

After winning the 2011 Grammy for “Album of the Year,” Arcade Fire made the jump from indie rock critical darling to one of the most popular bands in the world.

You won’t find any of the band’s singles on mainstream radio, but its placement atop rock festivals around the world attests to its popularity.

Arcade Fire’s hotly anticipated fourth album, “Reflektor,” continues the Canadian band’s winning streak.

Producer James Murphy, from LCD Soundsystem fame, brings a buoyant, dance element to the band.

The new sound shift works brilliantly for Arcade Fire’s dynamics, providing a more energetic sound than it has ever attempted.

During the course of the two-disc album, “Reflektor” expands upon Arcade Fire’s established skill set, providing some of the most exciting songs of 2013.

The pure dance floor jolt of tracks like “Here Comes the Night Time” and “Reflektor” are instant stunners.

The first disc of the double album provides the record’s most straightforward material.

Punchy rock throwbacks “Normal Person” and “You Already Know” prove Arcade Fire hasn’t wandered too far from its roots.

With longer track lengths and less direct instrumentation, the second disc of “Reflektor” is less immediate.

While this portion of the album may detour impatient listeners, it hits more emotional heights such as in the gorgeous “Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice)” and the earnest album highlight, “Afterlife.”

Despite the sonic switch-up, Arcade Fire remains an emotive unit with relevant lyrics.

Culturally conscious lyrics pop up throughout, including criticisms of our computer-obsessed age (“Reflektor”) and critiques of modern Christian values (“We Exist”).

Elsewhere, lead singer Win Butler sings love songs that depict rejection and isolation.

“Reflektor” is another top-notch effort from Arcade Fire. The songs are still densely written with thick grooves and euphoric heights.

Simply put, “Reflektor” is one of the best albums of 2013.

It is defiant, experimental and, ultimately, a wild dance party that has its heart in the right place.