Formentera came third on my List last year, and it has only continued to grow in my estimation since. I’d now consider it my second favourite record of 2022 and, as it happens, also my second favourite record of the 2020s so far (4 years in). That’s a lot to live up to, and there’s no question that this year’s sequel suffered by direct comparison, at least initially. In some ways I wish Metric had just called it something else. Because although it still has their usual brand of synthy indie rock at its core, Formentera II is not merely more Formentera. Which perhaps is to their credit. Thematically much more personal and, correspondingly, less propulsive musically (at least when viewed as a whole), this is a somewhat different beast. And, as a consequence of its approach and style, it is a record of less immediate joys. With a bit time, I’ve discovered those joys, though, and they are many. Formentera II is another exceptional record, and it is well worthy of its place on the very edge of this year’s top 5. It’s also the most recent release to make this List, so it has got there pretty quickly, and I suspect it may well keep growing in my estimation. Every single track is excellent, and perfectly crafted. Highlights like the lament of ‘Stone Window’ or the dreamy nostalgia of ‘Who Would You be for Me’ are light years ahead of most bands. And yet. Formentera II isn’t Formentera. It would, though, be wholly unreasonable to consider a record this consistently fantastic as a ‘disappointment’, so I’ll simply categorise it as another wonderful offering from a band at the very top of their game.