Toronto-based Metric have been exploring separate terrain in recent years, with front woman Emily Haines releasing an acclaimed solo album and the rest of the quartet working in various projects. But the foursome are set to end a three-year drought between studio albums this fall. They told Spinner at Coachella, where they tested out new material, that the band is close to finishing the album. "We're gonna go home and get back in the studio," guitarist Jimmy Shaw said. "We should be done in four weeks or so, and then we'll be mixing."

Among the songs the band is excited to play live is 'Satellite Mind,' which is very personal to Haines. "I told Jimmy that I needed this certain vibe and he created for me this music," she explains. "I had to take a very depressing trip to Los Angeles for a funeral. While I was there, I became totally inspired to write this song. I wrote it in my hotel room at five in the morning, and then on the airplane. Then, as soon as I got off the plane, came straight to the studio and laid down the song. That's a favorite one for me."

The group is working with producer Gavin Brown, who, as Shaw explains, brought out a different vibe in Metric. "I had a feeling he was going to allow us to translate in a way I don't think we have," Shaw says. "If anything, the record is a little more dance-y and a little more airy than the last one. The last one had a bit more of a guitar/bass edge to it. Having found him made us not go more in that direction."