M. Ward takes a strange future nostalgia trip on Migration Stories, his reliably languid tenth outing and first for the ANTI- label. More fantasy than reality, the 11-song set delivers a loosely conceptual narrative constructed around the idea of human migration with Ward spinning tales of destiny and upheaval from an unidentified point somewhere in the future. After the surprisingly barbed cynicism of his 2019 record industry takedown, What a Wonderful Industry, Migration Stories feels like somewhat of a return to his preferred mode of affable, cool, and offbeat poetic reflection, although the subtle sci-fi undercurrent knocks this one a little further into left field. Recorded in Montreal with a team of Arcade Fire-related personnel (Tim Kingsbury, Richard Reed Parry, Craig Silvey), the collection rolls into existence with the misty "Migration of Souls," a typically-hushed Ward ballad which introduces his ambiguous premise with the line "sailing on past space and time, that's how I'll get back to you." Amid tracks like "Coyote Mary's Traveling Show" and "Along the Santa Fe Trail" -- both fine examples of his signature laid-back Western-flavored style -- are more pop-driven offerings like the excellent "Unreal City" and "Real Silence," a back-to-back pair of synth-laced cuts that act as both the tonal and thematic centerpieces of the record. "Torch," another late-album standout, also benefits from pairing Ward's gentle fingerpicked acoustic with low-grade synth adornments, giving its pulsing "ba ba ba" chorus a woozy ethereal layer. As on many of Ward's records, instrumental guitar tracks are tucked neatly into the sequence with the lovely acoustic "Rio Drone" closing out the set. While the retro-future production on some of the songs gives Migration Stories a distinctive flair, it's still by and large a typical Ward joint, replete with all of the idiosyncrasies and retro affectations that have become a stylistic hallmark of his catalog. Familiar as it may sound, though, he doesn't skimp on quality and there is plenty to love about this latest entry in his impressive catalog. ~ Timothy Monger