FOR artists who have found themselves experiencing levels of success beyond their wildest comprehension, it’s undoubtedly easy to sink into a state of complacency; phoning in records which appease but don’t inspire what was once a thriving fan base. Luckily, Canada’s premier alt pop behemoths Arcade Fire and their troupe of multi instrumentalists have never been one of those acts, constantly looking to diversify and delve into genres that had remained unexplored throughout previous material.

One of the band’s guiding lights and most integral components is Will Butler, an eccentric performer whose mastery of guitar, bass, synthesizer and percussion are second to none within modern music. Having already struck out on his own alongside frequent collaborator Owen Pallett to compose the original score  for the Spike Jonze directed ‘Her’, Butler has released Policy, an amazing and inherently awe-inspiring record which confirms his ingenuity as a songwriter and musician.

Electing to actively avoid the grandiose and large scale compositions in favour of a more concise and punchier sound, the younger Butler sibling exhibits an unprecedented knack for producing rock n roll in its purest form whilst wilfully scattering elements of other genres and niches throughout.

Beginning in a strident and confrontational manner on ‘Take My Side’, he adopts the pop rock sensibilities of cult heroes Big Star whilst a bluesy central riff assures the listener that Butler’s proclamations of a rawer sound have materialised as planned. Another influence upon the track which must be acknowledged is a brief  foray into garage rock, manifested in its erratic guitar.

Proving that this album won’t revolve around a stripped down, back to basics philosophy in the traditional sense, the sparse ‘Anna’ sees him exercise the eccentricity that has long been ingrained in his stage presence. Featuring a sparse, 80’s influenced synth line alongside a vocal melody that wouldn’t have been jarring upon an early Beach Boys release; Butler’s distinctive vocals draw influence from timeless artists such as Bowie and Iggy Pop due to his seemingly spontaneous inflections.

The first venture into balladry upon the album, ‘Finish What I Started’ is a sorrowful composition that sees him refer to a notion of untapped creativity and as yet unfulfilled potential. Led entirely by heartrending piano with only minimal backing vocals and a rudimentary drum beat to accompany it, its sound is incredibly effective in expressing the discontent and disarray within the protagonist’s grief stricken mind.

A track which is firmly in the mould of classic American songwriters such as Neil Diamond and Albert Hammond due to its spirited acoustic guitar and soaring chorus, ‘Son Of God’ is one of the album’s more radio friendly moments. Featuring a frenetic, post punk based guitar refrain that appears intermittently throughout, it is sure to become a live favourite due to its buoyant nature and inherent catchiness.

A track which bears the closest resemblance to Arcade Fire’s most recent LP Reflektor, ‘Something’s Coming’ harks back to the Talking Heads influenced and danceable sound that made it such a revered and unexpected release. Incorporating the absurdity of italo disco and the analogue synths of Giorgio Moroder, it sticks out like a sore thumb in the most entertaining way imaginable.

The driven ‘What I Want’ is one of the album’s most anarchic moments, possessing the capability to fit seamlessly within the catalogue of Richard Hell & The Voidoids or The New York Dolls. Lyrically, it features many of the album’s most darkly comedic moments.

Decreasing the frantic tempo dramatically, ‘Sing To Me’ brings  the record to its most profound and harrowing event . A solemn and anxiety ridden track that Jeff Mangum would be proud of, it projects his emotions upon the listener in an almost unsettling manner.

‘Witness’ brings the  proceedings to a close on a high note; a wild piano led stomp that really drives home the ideal that those who have the privilege of checking out this eclectic and remarkably inventive record are hearing an already established artist step out of his comfort zone and flourish.

In summation, Will Butler has exceeded the expectations of every music critic and fan who waited with baited breath for his solo material to emerge; producing not only the enjoyable record that was expected but an album that has the potential to elevate him into year end lists and beyond.