The Most Serene Republic will play in the Róisín Dubh on Thursday 29 May at 9pm.

The Most Serene Republic alter the way in which people appreciate rock music. It might sound like a lofty achievement for an unlikely band of 20-somethings bred in the Toronto suburb of Milton, Ontario but if you pay close attention to their discography, particularly 2007's Population, you'll hear something entirely unique.

Don't disregard their dense art-pop breakthrough Underwater Cinematographer (2005) or the transitional tour EP, Phages (2006) completely; these are the keys to understanding how The Most Serene Republic came to form the masterful achievement that is Population, which might seem superficially sugary if it weren't for the poison lurking under its remarkable layers of sound.

When Lenssen and vocalist Adrian Jewett started The Most Serene Republic in 2003, the band served as an escape from the rigidity of the arts degrees they were pursuing at university. Frustrated with stifling curriculums, the two put all of their expression into making music together. Though more fulfilled, with their passions running high these days, there's a lingering sense of bitterness and rage in the songs on Population.

The music itself sounds almost happy. People will look at the cover and see all the beautiful graphics but then they're going to get into the philosophy of the record and that is much, much darker, Lenssen explained.

In 2006, a brand new rhythm section was formed, comprising bassist Simon Lukasewich and drummer Tony Nesbitt-Larking joined Jewett, Lenssen, vocalist/guitarist Emma Ditchburn, and guitarists Nick Greaves and Sean Woolven.

Fans of the band will note that Population boasts a familiar bubbling sonic landscape with raucous, arty, pop structures and walls of ambient noise, but the band are even heavier and mightier rhythmically than in the past.

In challenging themselves to make music that is wholly unique yet spirited and engaging, The Most Serene Republic are far away from award shows and prizes. Population isn't easy, it's art, a musical call to arms for people to choose whether they're passive patrons or sincerely down with having their minds blown. As such, like all great albums, Population isn't going to come to you; you're going to have to go to it.

Tickets, €14/€12, are available from the Róisín Dubh on Dominick Street.

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