Ear Magic? We Think So. The Best Album and Tour of 2022.

Metric, a Toronto-based rock band formed in 1998, released their 8th studio album, "Formentera," earlier this year. It layers punchy ethereal synth-pop sounds with their traditional punk-rock and indie roots. I was lucky enough to see them on tour last night at Denver's Fillmore Auditorium. The Fillmore is a bit on the larger size in terms of most of the concert venues I've been to in Denver but their sound effortlessly filled the entire space, drifting between people's moving bodies and reverberating in the chests of those closer to the stage. The set list was all-encompassing, throwing out their newer synth-ier songs alongside their more grounded, but equally energetic, earlier hits. The connection between the band and the crowd was palpable. Listeners ranged from those who have been fans since the band formed 24 years ago to newer listeners who have just discovered the magnetic sounds of Metric through their most recent album. The magic of Metric is their continued relevance, humility, and rare ability to connect with audiences on a level most bands can only hope to experience. Louder than any of last night's body swaying and head-bopping songs was the love the audience clearly had for Emily Haines and her band.