Bob Mould once explained to me how his getting in touch with being gay involved developing an interest in dance music. As such, I have to wonder if it is indeed true that being gay somehow equates to being predisposed towards music geared for the disco, as opposed to that played on guitars on rock club stages. I suspect it is simply a cultural facet, but whatever the case, The Hidden Cameras, a band that has flown the rainbow flag without any hesitation, has seemingly shown that it is possible to have an interest in both musical realms and beyond, meshing a host of influences into infectious pop-rock that frequently celebrates their sexual identity.

This is most obvious on “Gay Goth Scene,” the lead single from The Hidden Cameras’ new album, AGE (Evil Evil/Motor Music), wherein the band meshes strings with a motorik beat and lyrics concerning homophobia. That the song is immediately followed by the appropriately titled “Afterparty” reveals how truly versatile the band is as they transition into a dubby reggae vibe. “Doom” buzzes with electro undertones, while singer Joel Gibb explores the range of his voice. “Carpe Jugular” is minor-tinged, but also built with a dance beat. Though the album has only eight songs—a disappointing fact given that it’s been four years between records—it shows how far the band has come from the pastoral indie-pop of its debut, Ecce Homo, and how far it may yet venture.