In “Lisbon,” The Walkmen embrace and celebrate the melancholy and longing that flowed throughout their 2008 elegiac downer, “You & Me.” These NYC indie-rock veterans have always leaned toward the darker side, but “Lisbon” flirts with feelings of happiness and contentment. Vocalist Hamilton Leithauser captures this mixture of sentiments in the chorus of the horn-laden album standout “Stranded,” when he shouts, “I’m stranded, and I’m starry-eyed.” There’s a glimmer of hope in even the most downcast tracks, whether it be the jangly guitar line of “Woe Is Me” or the unexpected string section in “Blue As Your Blood.”

This would all seem terribly trite if it weren’t for the masterful presence of Leithauser, who manages to simultaneously play the roles of mopey crooner and triumphant rabble-rouser. Leithauser is in a class of his own, vocally. He wails like he’s exorcising the spirits of Frank Sinatra and a young Elvis Presley from his vocal chords. When paired with the band’s dynamic, not-quite-folk sound, this makes a particularly effective combination. The Walkmen let you have it both ways: you can fist-pump with one hand while wiping away tears with the other.

for fans of: Grizzly Bear, The National

tracks to download: “Blue as Your Blood,” “Stranded,” “While I Shovel the Snow”