Last week we were in a bit of a psychedelic mood. This week we’re thinking understated electro-pop is the way to go.
On the heels of their astonishingly quick rise to prominence in their home country, New Zealand’s The Naked And Famous will be making their first trip to the States next week for CMJ. The Auckland act of Thom Powers and Alisa Xayalith (joined by rhythm section Ben Knapp and Tim Court for live performances) quickly began turning heads with the May 2008 release of their debut, the This Machine EP on Round Trip Mars. Only four months later, whether by demand or intentionally, they followed up This Machine with what they consider “part 2″ of the series, the No Light EP.
[This Machine EP]
[No Light EP]
With both featuring artwork of hands drenched in paint, the lead from the blue EP was the gorgeous single-note, electronically-led melody of “Bells”. Starting with Alisa’s soft spoken vocals, it builds into a dance-pop number with Thom jumping in to duet over distorted guitars and hand-claps.
MP3 Download – “Bells”
They’ve since followed up “Bells” with “Birds”, a more traditional pop song that reminds us a bit of their buds in Cut Off Your Hands, and even harkens the Ronnettes, with a surf punk beat and a catchy pop melody delivered in Xayalith’s ironically-sultry voice.
“Birds”
The Naked And Famous at CMJ
10.21.08 – New York, NY (The Delancey)*
10.22.08 – New York, NY (Fontanas)
10.22.08 – New York, NY (The Fader Fort)
* NZ Showcase w/ Cut Off Your Hands, Ruby Suns and Bang Bang Eche
