CD of The Week

Diamond Rings' 2010 debut Special Affections was one of the years' most pleasant surprises. A kinetic cocktail of homespun glam rock, it endures thanks to both its undeniable vitality and unexpected vulnerability. Hospitalized with Crohn's disease at the time, John O'Regan crafted these songs as a means of therapeutic metamorphosis. He wrote from a place of physical ennui and emotional uncertainty so that he might rise above it. And rise above he did, and continues to do with his full-band, major label sophomore effort Free Dimensional.

Having discovered what he was capable of two years ago, he returns as an artist not only aware but in complete control of his abilities as a singer and songwriter, a fact he admits to without a hint of irony in the irresistably catchy (if kitchy) "(I Know) What I'm Made Of." His newly bolstered confidence is matched by a full backing band this time around, as well as big-screen production from Damian Taylor, who has worked similar magic in the past with Bjork and former Diamond Rings tourmate Robyn. He adds a welcome studio shimmer to already scintillating cuts like new single "Runaway Love," a sequel in sound and spirit to Special Affections standout "Something Else." Other highlights include the surging "I'm Just Me," sporting a vintage synth hiccup worthy of A Flock of Seagulls, and penultimate cut "Stand My Ground," whose pristine percolations recall The Magnetic Fields at their most sweetly synthetic. Tellingly, these songs are also the ones where O'Regan sounds the most celebratory and confident in himself lyrically.

While its predecessor remains the definitive Diamond Rings statement for its backstory as much as its beats, Free Dimensional is a worthy and well-earned victory lap that proves O'Regan's sensibilities translate just fine to technicolor from their GarageBand beginnings. More importantly, his appeal shines as brightly as ever.