Local Natives - Sunlit Youth

Californian hipsters Local Natives are known for their lush harmonies, slowly unfurling lyrical meanings and being cooler than a polar bears toenails, but have largely avoided airplay or troubling the charts unduly with their first two albums due to a lack of immediacy in their songs. Sunlit youth is a collision of what’s made them beloved of a growing fanbase, whilst reaching further with more obviously radio and festival friendly tunage. There is more beef on show here than on Hummingbird, their second and more mesmeric record, and they wear it well; punchy, funky even, while remaining true to their sound and ethic. The gift they bring is a slow release of the goodies, repeated listens reveals more and this release is no exception. Villiany & Past Lives start the attack with hands in the air anthemic grown up indie, Jellyfish has alt-techno edge and beautiful harmonies, throughout the vocals are often as pleasurable to hear as sound as they are as transmitters of words. They played the Waterfront last time out, Novembers tour is mainly bigger cities and they deserve it. Sunlit Youth is another triumph from a band who should be heard coming out of headphones, car windows and stereos all over; it’s senseless to pick tunes from the pack as the whole piece shimmers and glides with angelic masculinity.