Cast Spells

When Maps & Atlases hit the road early last year with Barsuk Records labelmates Menomena, the pairing was more than clever indie synergy. Like their Portland-based comrades, the Chicago quartet anchors its slightly bent pop tunes with impressively intricate drumming. The first track to surface from Maps & Atlases’ upcoming Beware & Be Grateful (out April 17), “Winter,” saw the Dave Davison-fronted band taking a more focused approach to its buoyant, fleet-fingered guitar-pop. Latest advance track “Fever” similarly forgoes the occasional Latin-brass or campfire-folk left turns of 2010’s Perch Patchwork, instead allowing Davison’s rounded, distinctive bray to float triumphantly over a direct, breezy concoction that feels, indeed like a fever passing. Pre-order the album here and get a bag of Maps & Atlases coffee to help you keep up with those busy rhythms.

LISTEN TO “FEVER”