Courtesy of Barsuk Records

Though Ra Ra Riot’s debut album, “The Rhumb Line,” gave listeners a taste of its highly developed version of orchestral pop, it was apparent that the band was still in the process of defining its sound. There were plenty of catchy hooks, but at times the album seemed to lack cohesion. On its new album “The Orchard,” Ra Ra Riot seems to finally come into its own.

The strings evoke images of Victorian-era ballroom dancing and forbidden romances under the moonlight, but the steady rhythms ground the music, giving it a contemporary feel. It’s a strange conglomeration of many influences that blend into something incredibly unique. Although there may be nothing as immediate as “The Rhumb Line” track “Can You Tell,” Wes Miles’ soft-spoken vocals are beautiful in a very fragile way; they take the listener deep into the folds of the wandering melodies.

Midway through the album, the band introduces the haunting voice of Alexandra Lawn in the song “You And I Know,” which may be one of the strongest tracks. Lawn develops a quiet intensity that slowly builds throughout the song to an incredibly satisfying finish.

Ra Ra Riot is not taking many risks when it comes to individual songs, but the album itself stands alone in the genre, as there are no others like it. Although some may brush it off as another breezy chamber pop album, “The Orchard” is a multifaceted gem that is a challenging but incredibly rewarding record.