I know it’s not a particularly envelope-pushing or groundbreaking record, and it may not end up in too many end of year lists, but I’m really enjoying this new Staves album from last Friday.
They have a knack for writing a really catchy folk/indie-pop tune with some lovely harmonies and instrumentals, which is perfect for the current white, wintery landscape.
I’ve never really been tempted to check them out but the title track, which is just a brilliant single in its own right, lured me in.
It’s still all somewhat understated but all the individual parts - the pitch-shifted looping backing vocals, the rolling drum beat, the soft and perfectly judged lead vocal, the teasing guitar licks - build up to beautifully conclude the track for a really satisfying whole.
I reckon if you really enjoyed the HAIM record from last year then you’ll like this too.