Metric - Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?

Metric's debut album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? is a young band catching new wave fever and turning it into something sharp-edged and danceable.

Released in 2003, it introduced Emily Haines, James Shaw and their bandmates as one of the brightest acts in a booming Canadian indie scene. Producer Michael Andrews recorded the band in Los Angeles, capturing a heady mix of vintage synths, wiry guitars and Haines' cool, cutting delivery. The record went gold in Canada and laid down the template for much of what Metric has done since, from the art-school attitude to the pop smarts underneath.

"Combat Baby" is the standout, a bouncy, hook-laden anthem with a defiant streak that became one of their signature songs. "Dead Disco" pairs a strutting groove with a wry, knowing chorus, and "Succexy" glides on a slinky, synth-driven pulse. Opener "IOU" sets things moving with nervy energy, and the rest of the record rarely lets the tension drop.

More than two decades on, it still sounds fresh and a little dangerous, and its synths have aged far better than most records from that era. It remains the best place to hear where Metric's blend of cool detachment and big-hearted pop instinct began.