Believe it or not, 2003’s “House of Jealous Lovers” wasn’t the first time that the Rapture hit dance music. In fact, two years prior, iiO released their worldwide club hit interpretation of the Second Coming, “Rapture”; and I much prefer the unabashed club pop of the latter over the DFA blueprint of the former. For a tad more (necessary) context, Blondie’s “Rapture”, released in 1981, was the first rap video to be played on MTV. What separates Luke Jenner and his Rapture from a number of others, is that he actually has faith as opposed to merely wanting a two syllable synonym for orgasm.

Despite the lingering religion in Jenner’s lyrics, In the Grace of Your Love is more a retro discothèque than it is a church choir. Jenner’s break from music – specifically, his band – even turned to a nostalgic softball fixation at one point, rekindling his lost dream of playing college baseball. But Grace isn’t “Glory Days” either. Hardly; in retrospect, “House of Jealous Lovers” – and arguably, the band as a whole – was a Time of Measurement effect (for those of you who have studied psychology). In other words, it was an influential event of a specific time. More so, it was a time before James Murphy put out albums as LCD Soundsystem—releasing two records, a self-titled and Sound of Silver, which effectively made the Rapture, and bands like them, obsolete.

“Sail Away”, surprisingly, as an obtuse opening wail almost dooms it before it even gets going, is a great single. Jenner soars to a wonderful peak and freefalls through a charmingly simple but thoughtful refrain of devotion. “Miss You”, however, is alarmingly inappropriate. The death of Jenner’s mother is the theme, but you wouldn’t know it given the dance-punk treatment. A series of club hooks doesn't equal to mourning; in fact, it sounds more like typical girlfriend drama. “Children” is my favorite moment on Grace; it’s simple, much like “Sail Away”, but Jenner – for the second time, counting “Sail Away” – gives an endearing performance worthy of his lengthy soul-searching in-between softball games and church choir meets.

But “Never Gonna Die Again” goes right back to the plastic disco shtick: A would-be Saturday Night Fever anthem way outside of Jenner’s vocal capabilities. “Roller Coaster” is harmless, and sort of fun, but its only standout moment amidst laughable blunders is when Jenner sings, “You’re the only thing I get out of bed for these days, forevermore.” Say what you will about the song…it’s a good lyric.

In the Grace of Your Love tries to have a heart, a heart that loves unconditionally (and constantly), but disco grooves and lighthearted strobe light anthems aren’t consistent vehicles for child-rearing, coping with loss, and growing up. The Rapture denies evolution, relying on the false prophecies of Echoes (2003) and Pieces of the People We Love (2006) instead of the few deviations (“Children”, “Sail Away”, and “How Deep is Your Love?”) where they resurrect as pop masters—and more than just those guys who did “House of Jealous Lovers”.