Los Campesinos! release new album Hold On Now, Youngster… today, April 1st, to critical acclaim. The seven piece (Aleksandra, Ellen, Gareth, Harriet, Neil, Ollie and Tom) from Cardiff, Wales, whose name means “the peasants” in Spanish, came together in 2006 just to jam and have been taking the world by storm with their dance party indie pop ever since.
Hold On Now, Youngster… is a dynamic pop album full of catchy riffs, funky melodies and cheeky song titles, some of my favorites being “This Is How You Spell ‘Hahaha, We Destroyed The Hopes And Dreams Of A Generation Of Faux-Romantics,’” a tune that starts out with a trippy keyboard effect and dancey groove overlaid with spoken word, and “…And We Exhale And Roll Our Eyes In Unison,” featuring poppy piano hooks.
The interplay between female and male vocals over poppy riffs and driving beats, interspersed with the occasional violin part, creates upbeat tunes that get you moving around. The entire band pulls together to create tight songs in which they all perform on their instruments solidly and grab the listener’s attention with handclaps and collective shouts. Track 3, “Don’t Tell Me To Do The Math(S),” begins with a twinkling percussion and launches into a dynamic pop punch of keyboards and guitars as male and female vocals compete in an effervescent explosion of indie pop.
Funky melodies mix with catchy pop riffs, warped keys and distorted guitars to create the driving pep of “You! Me! Dancing!” near the end of the disc. The wall of noise breaking through on track 11 features lots of cymbal crashes and fun, repetitive keyboard beat. The entire disc is bouncy, head boppin’ fun with vibrant beats and genius pop sensibilities. You’ll be sure to hear Los Campesinos! blaring at a hipster dance party near you (I’m lookin’ at you, Brooklyn).
Be sure to pick up Los Campesinos!’s Hold On Now, Youngster… in stores April 1, 2008 and catch them on tour this May!!
Tour Dates:
5/14/08 � Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell�s
5/15/08 � Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
5/16/08 � Washington, DC @ Black Cat
5/17/08 � Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda�s
5/19/08 � New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
5/21/08 � Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
5/22/08 � Montreal, PQ @ Petit Campus
5/23/08 � Toronto, ON @ Lee�s Palace
5/26/08 � Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
5/27/08 � Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
5/28/08 � Minneapolis, MN @ Varisty Theatre
5/31/08 � Seattle, WA @ Neumo�s
6/1/08 � Vancouver, BC @ Plaza Club
6/2/08 � Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
6/6/08 � San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo�s
6/7/08 � Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
6/8/08 � Pamona, CA @ Glass House
Los Campesinos!: website | myspace
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