By John Thomas
Staff Writer

Phoenix’s new single “Entertainment” is a whole gaggle of good times. Even though I am very stubborn in my music appreciation habits, I’ve found myself listening to “Entertainment” almost exclusively since its first play.

If you don’t like Phoenix already, you’re not going to find anything new here. Even if you like their general formula, but have lost the stamina to continue on without some sort of burst of innovation, this is also not the song for you. While their forthcoming album “Bankrupt” won’t be out until April, I am afraid that “Entertainment” signals Phoenix’s stagnation. While the French rockers have been able to contort their sound in fresh ways for each outing until now, it seems like they found a comfortable place in their last outing, “Wolfgang Amadeus,” and have decided to sit on their laurels.

That being said, I am totally down for more of the same. “Wolfgang Amadeus” is one of my favorite albums of all times. I’m almost certain that girls and guys have broken up with me over how many times I played “Rome” in their presence. While it is ethically acceptable for you to not like Phoenix’s brand of culturally aware, poppy dissonance indie rock, I don’t think it should be socially acceptable. “Entertainment” is a prime example of everything that works for Phoenix – bright, even optimistic, but with sullen, cautious lyrics that soberly celebrate their subject.

I don’t usually do this, but I’m going to go ahead and recommend that you actually buy this tune on some sort of website or application. Thom Mars and his pals just deserve your money for this bit of cautious happiness they’ve unleashed onto a weary world. You could just download it illegally, or listen to it on Spotify, but I believe that you’re better than that.