Once you know the story about Unknown Mortal Orchestra frontman Ruban Nielson's experience with polyamory while this album was in creation, it's hard to forget. Except if you'd never heard about it, it's entirely possible that you could listen to Multi-Love and never have any inkling of that story, because though that experience infused Nielson's outlook and writing, and gave the album its title, this isn't an album about polyamory.
It's an album about the confusion of love and life, of emotions, endless questions, and a search for contentment.
Sure there's a sense of Nielson working through some different inner dialogues, but it sounds like the challenging experience helped him to find some new joyfulness and acceptance on the other side.
Because where II was a slightly introverted album, its guitar riffery and sweet, strong melodies tinged with loneliness and listlessness, Multi-Love is an outward-looking, hopeful collection.
From the moment the swirling title-track opens - the baroque organ parts underpinning Nielson's multi-layered crooning, the exuberant drums bursting through - even though there's a sense of lovesick bewilderment to the track, it seems Nielson's got a smile on his face.
