The pensive beauty of Ottawa’s Wooden Stars is probably best described through the band’s collaborations with ex-Eric’s Trip member Julie Doiron — Julien Beillard and Dave Draves appear on some of Doiron’s solo work, Doiron appears on The Moon, and there’s a common thread of brooding melody that runs between the two. The Moon, of course, presents this in a full-band context — the album offers up some typically indie rock, but with all of the subtle complexity and polished production of a pop album — and the result is a distinctively gorgeous collection of music. – Nitsuh Abebe