Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin 'Fly By Wire' Review, Album Stream [LISTEN]: SSLYBY Explore Roots While Discovering Russia, Get Back to Basics

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin garnered critical acclaim with its previous album "Let It Sway," and a sense of progression was evident in the album, consisting of production-heavy songs akin to the more popular indie acts of the day, for example Death Cab for Cutie. Fans were not exactly "turned off" by this newer, polished sound, but there was definitely an overall feeling of change.

During 2011, the band released "Tape Club," a series of b-sides and rarities, which was a welcoming trip back into the lo-fi, messy production of the early days of SSLYBY. Holding fans over with this compilation was not enough for the band however.

During 2012, Missouri indie-rock outfit SSLYBY were invited to perform at a festival for the Boris Yeltsin Foundation in Russia. The lengthy name that aggravated press outlets and promoters finally paid off, in a way, after years of touring. The United States consulate even made the group "ambassadors for a day." As a result, Someone Still Loves You wrote "Fly By Wire," the band's fourth full-length record.

Delving into adventures in new cultures, travel and, of course, heartbreak, "Fly By Wire" brings Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin back to its roots. Full of fun, upbeat indie-pop tunes accompanied by the high-pitched vocals of Philip Dickey, "Fly By Wire" brings listeners back to the days of "Pershing" and "Broom," but without dwelling on the past.

This band started with Dickey and guitarist Will Knauer coming together songwriting partners. Dickey takes over principle singing duties after John Robert Cardwell left the band before going into the studio for "Fly by Wire." This departure had little affect on the album besides the obvious influence reflected in a number of tracks.

"Fly By Wire" exudes urgency. Acoustic guitar parts feature missed notes. Strained vocals power through the songs. Someone Still Loves You takes queues from the British invasion from the 1960s, filling songs with pop hooks and layered vocals.

Engineered by drummer and bassist Jonathan James and recorded in stairwells, this album just feels more personal - allowing the listener to become somewhat of a trusted party, privy to the inner-workings of SSLYBY.   

Listen to "Fly By Wire" right here: