Fortuna, the sophomore full-length effort from the now UK-based, New Zealand trio Popstrangers is a decided and radical change of sonic direction for the band. Instead of the power chord-based grunge of their debut full-length and their singles, the band’s sound has gone more towards the angular lines of New Wave; in fact, as you’ll hear on the latest single “Country Kills,” the band’s sound bears an uncanny resemblance to XTC – in particular, I think of “Mayor of Simpleton” and a few other songs but somehow even more buoyant, and seemingly more playful. 

rock sound of their debut full-length effort and their previous singles, the band’s sound bears an uncanny