Minimalistic, pithy, nostalgically twangy, wistful, undersyated indie-folk-pop by the Chicago/New York trio of Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece in this second LP with a refreshing sound produced by Cate Le Bon. While their 2022 debut, Versions of Modern Performance, was more fuzz-guitar shoegaze noise-rock chaos, the sound here is cleaner, with influences including The Feelies, third Velvet Underground album, the first Raincoats LP, Young Marble Giants, and sometimes a dash of The Wedding Present. There’s joy in the mesmeric simplicity and repetition of the refrain, for example in the catchy Switch Over, while 2468 has a rustic shuffling charm, a standout of experimentation with Raincoats-like violin parts and kinetic percussion. Julie has a drollness but with touching sincerity to it (“Julie I wish I could tell you what you want…”) with stripped-back beat and clever little flecks of electric guitar. Frontrunner has a campfire honesty, highlighting those micro-moments and yet subtly complex emotions about looking forward to her partner’s company: “In the morning / When you’re sleeping / I can’t wait and I can’t wait to compromise / In the morning / When you’re sleeping - I can’t wait and I can’t wait.” It’s a counterpoint to a final song, I Can’t Wait To See You. Packed with gentle subtleties, this is a charming, clever, understated album with a retro feel and lovely melodies that grows appeal on every listen. Less is more. Out on Matador Records.
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