Music Review: Alvvays, Antisocialites

Three years since their eponymous debut, Alvvays are back. Antisocialites is a collection of bittersweet tracks that reflect on messy relationships. Richer in tone than its lo-fi predecessor, and eclectic in its influences, the album plays like a jukebox charting the progression of British and Irish indie, moving from The Undertones and The Smiths through shoegaze to Britpop.

Interspersed with the motorik rhythms of Krautrock and occasional forays into Lynchian electronica, the album nicely manipulates the standard indie-pop formula. Their approach is exemplified best on single 'Dreams Tonite' and 'Not My Baby', which is an ethereal mix of Grimes and Phil Spector. However, Alvvays are by no means averse to straighforward power pop: the ragged melodic rush of 'Your Type' recalls the Buzzcocks.

Sometimes psychedelic, sometimes punk, but consistently catchy, Antisocialites is an exhilarating listen.

4/5. Out Now