Yo La Tengo, ‘Fade’ (Matador)

Since 1984, Yo La Tengo has quietly built a career as one of America’s most versatile rock bands, excelling at everything from revved-up fuzz-pop to blue-eyed soul, Kraftwerk-like plod to Velvets-style strut. Singer-guitarist Ira Kaplan’s exploratory yet always melodic six-string heroics are the stuff of legend.

The New Jersey trio’s 13th album, “Fade,” finds all its sonic hallmarks — uncluttered arrangements, metronome-tight drumming, full-bodied guitars, whispery dual vocals — working harmoniously.

The A-side is pop-oriented, but diverse. On “Ohm,” a serpentine hook envelops a bright, repeated D chord, soon giving way to an epic Kaplan solo. The gentle “Is That Enough” adds orchestral flourishes, the sparse “Well You Better” conjures a less tense Talking Heads and the blustery “Paddle Forward” is a highflying ’90s throwback.

The album’s atmospheric latter half — bookended by standouts “Stupid Things” and “Before We Run” — is mellow, nocturnal and spellbinding.

Yo La Tengo doesn’t make bad records, but considering its fondness for sprawling double-LPs, “Fade” is remarkably concise and focused. For new listeners, it’s an excellent starting point; for old-timers, a welcome addition to a brilliant catalog.

Charlie Zaillian, Seattle Times freelancer

Other new releases

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A$AP Rocky, “Long.Live.A$AP” (RCA)

Teena Marie, “Beautiful” (UMe)

Note: Yo La Tengo plays at 7 p.m. Friday at Easy Street Records on Lower Queen Anne.