The Cardigans

The Cardigans might be stuck in the general public’s mind, in that soft and fluffy place their song “Lovefool” created with its inclusion in the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack. But the Cardigans of today are harder and spikier. On their sixth album, Super Extra Gravity, they have turned from amiable to downright squalling, more lyrically than musically. Cynical and biting, Super provides a platform for jagged complaints and painful home truths such as those on the explanatorily titled “I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer.” But cushioned in pretty pop-edged melodies, these grievances don’t hurt too much.