Royal Wood

The always-elegant Royal Wood loosens his collar on his fourth album, a selection of songs that are more playful and pop-oriented than his previous releases. You'll even catch the man whistling once in a while. Though the Toronto, ON-based singer-songwriter's lyrical content is as starry-eyed as ever, catchy choruses abound this time around. Building on the sound he tried out on 2010's The Waiting, the arrangements on his newest collection ― guitars, drums, piano and strings ― give Wood's love songs a grandiosity worthy of their emotional tenor. Though the sweeping strings can be overpowering during some of the quieter moments, they offer an emotional boost to bolder numbers like "Not Giving Up" and "Always Will." More enjoyable still is the sassy, new wave-inspired synthesizer in songs like "I Want Your Love" and "When The Sun Comes Up." It's a creative departure that fits Wood's songwriting style and reveals a spark of the sharp wit behind the sophisticated suit and tie.