To start, Camera Obscura introduces Desire Lines with a brief, sweeping overture (simply, “Intro”) that hints at the structured dreamscape to come—not that any future tracks on the record revisit the string arrangement procured here; I mean to say that this short, overwrought musical construct belies the band’s aspiration to sublime grandeur in obvious subtext. But that’s all just intellectualizing what amounts to a barely a half-minute movement on the album.

Camera Obscura's wonderful new album Desire Lines is out next week (Tuesday, June 4) via 4AD, and we are pleased to present you with the album download, along with a link to the full premiere stream hosted by NPR First Listen, and their amazing write up: n.pr/16YWHyqDesire Lines started life in 2010 shortly after the release of their 4AD debut My Maudlin Career' - as demos put together in singer Tracyanne Campbell's home.