Here’s an early look at the upcoming New Pornographers album, Challengers. Dunno about you, but I much prefer MP3 previews to album cover previews.

MP3: The New Pornographers - My Rights Versus Yours
I tend to get caught up in melody when listening to the New Pornographers — not entirely a bad thing, considering that A.C. Newman is one of my favorite melody-makers. But it’s just that I it makes me overlook some spectacular lyrics. How can you top lyrics like “It hangs in air like a school cheer.”

Like many other fine artists, The New Pornographers will be playing at the 2007 Pitchfork Music Festival. Meet you there!