It isn’t all the time that a My Brightest Diamond song begins with a steady, groovy bass-and-drum pattern. But so be it, because it sounds great! Shara Worden and company are following the great first single “Pressure” which the slightly more subdued but no less exciting “Lover Killer.” The multi-tracked Sharas work wonders while the eventual horns add a funky splash of head-bobbing swagger. Shara, of course, still shows off her incredible voice, but everything is more reigned in and direct, and less esoteric, than on previous MBD releases, and the climax hits a little harder because of it. If this and “Pressure” are any indication, their new LP is going to find the group on a lovely new path.

This is My Hand is out September 16, via Asthmatic Kitty.