Veronica Falls (Bella Union CD)

The first album by London based Veronica Falls which collects together some of their earlier singles including the frenetic and terrific "Beachy head" plus newer songs. Anyway what do they sound like? Personally i think they have a refreshingly different sound. There are lots of elements to their music : 80s indie, twee, surf twang, 60s pop and thrash. The songs are often rather dark but all tightly wrapped up in hipster cool, with deadpan yet cute vocals and seemingly limitless energy. The result is an amazing indiepop ride with a dark edge.

"Beachy head" epitomises the sound of this band, twangy guitar driven indie pop thrash with lovely harmonies straight out of the Beach Boys lab only via an 80s indie punk detour. "Bad feeling" has some more sweet harmonies too and a great chorus, underpinned like all of their songs by a mean beat. The quirky "Found love in a graveyard" is another highlight, it starts off all low-key to lure you then blows you away. The music is often beautiful with a dark edge and its one hell of a debut.