Bright Eyes: The People's Key – review

This is rumoured to be Conor Oberst's last album under the Bright Eyes alias, but having declared himself "really burnt out on that rootsy Americana shit", he's going out with a bang of effervescent pop. Some of the subject matter may be far out – there are nods to reptilian overlords, and the album is bookended by the cosmic ramblings of Texan musician Denny Brewer – but sonically the record couldn't be more immediate. On the sparkling "Jejune Stars", Oberst sings of kissing "as the band marched and everything fell into line" – a feeling that runs through this brilliant record.