'Voices'

Phantogram, composed of two New Yorkers, has done a lot of moving since its founding in 2007.

They first passed the standard taste test for indie outfits — landing single “When I’m Small” in commercials for Canon and Gillette — then collaborating with the Flaming Lips on “You Lust” for the 2013 album “The Terror.”

The band’s latest release, “Voices,” solidifies the brand their name promises, dark and catchy mash-ups of ghostly ambiance with a mechanical casing. It’s a highly-polished, highly-produced package of driving drum kits with synth rhythms and burbling low bass lines. Above it all, lead singer Sara Barthel’s voice glides from husky whispers to high-tension wails.

It’s a solid sound, best applied with a hefty subwoofer — something you might get by dropping Lana Del Rey into a blender with Ratatat and Beach House.

And yet, for all its gloss and good dark vibes, the album as a whole is missing something.

“Howling at the Moon” is a good example. Its opening sample hints at something unusual, a tremolo pulled from a beachy Bond film. The synth drops, and while expected, it’s fun — probably one of the album’s most danceable tracks.Then the chorus falls into a disappointingly rigid chord progression that could be found in one of the xx’s more forgettable songs.

Almost every track has its ear-catching hooks and clever feints, but the album doesn’t give them enough breathing room to stand out from each other. It all feels very rich, which to some listeners could be ideal.

“Voices” comes close in that regard with the more reflective “Bill Murray” and “Never Going Home,” but even the latter follows the recent trend of artists like M83 and Beyoncé’s “XO,” in which synths and white-noise crescendos could play over any slow-motion b-roll of beautiful people with sparklers. There’s a lot going on, but none of it is very subtle.

By the time you reach the closing “My Only Friend,” it’s hard to care anymore.
Is “Voices” worth a listen? Absolutely. But in the end, it’s got the initial appeal of a FIFA soundtrack, with all of its staying power.