Depreciation Guild - spirit youth

Unhappily this is probably the final album the Depreciation Guild will release as they announced an intention to wind up the band recently but happily its an amazing album to go out on. The Depreciation Guild were one of my finds of 2010, a band that mixes shoegaze, pop, 80s melodies, and chiptunes. It does sound like an indie anorak's wet dream but i have so far managed to not disgrace myself, in public anyway.

"Dream about me" lets talk about that song. Have you heard it yet? If not then do so now as its wonderful, a beautiful pop song complete with key change and 80s melodies. Actually at times this album does sound a bit like the last great album from 80s pop not a 2010 indie album but don't worry there is plenty of noise, chiptune electronica and modern indieness on here too.

Maybe they decided to split now because they couldn't really refine the band's sound any more? It does feel like a total refinement of the more edgy material on their earlier releases. Very pop tastic. In fact probably the best pop record of 2010 and one of the best indie records too. Not that the vast majority of people who like "pop music" will ever hear this. That is maybe an even bigger shame than this being the end of the Depreciation Guild.

• Spirit Youth (Amazon)