Interpol returns after a four-year hiatus with its sixth studio album, ‘Marauder.’ The dark, spirited “The Rover” serves as the set’s promo single.

“Ça suffit, hell yeah, maybe it’s time / You can’t stick to the highways, it’s suicide.” Veteran post-punk band Interpol return with a new album in 2018, Marauder, arriving August 24.  Marauder, the band’s sixth studio album, arrives four years after El Pintor (2014), which received positive reviews overall. “‘Marauder’ is a character that appears in a number of songs”, according to frontman Paul Banks.  Building buzz for Marauder is the promo single “The Rover.”

“The Rover” isn’t the brightest song ever recorded – understatement. That’s obvious as the first line that comes out of Banks’ mouth is “Come and see me and maybe you’ll die.” A catchy, recurrent guitar riff kicks off “The Rover.” Back by spirited, driving minor-key production, Banks is also spirited, though it should be noted that his vocals are mixed into the background as opposed to the forefront.  Nonetheless, he successfully conveys darkness and morbidity with buzz words and phrases including pyros, incremental end, and suicide.  The chorus is moderately catchy, highlighted by the repetition of the titular lyric.

“Walk in on your own feet

Says the rover

It’ my way or they all leave

Says the rover

The rover

The rover.”

Final Thoughts

So, does “The Rover” rock? It does okay for itself.  The best attribute is its spiritedness. That said, as a song, to properly get the full effect, we need to hear the album, Marauder itself.  “The Rover” probably won’t change your life, but if you’ve been missing Interpol, well, the band is back, middle-aged mind you, but back.

Interpol • Marauder • Matador • Release: 8.24.18

Photo Credit: Matador