I just interviewed Thom from Leeds-based band Alt-J (or more correctly, ∆), for Melbourne's Inpress magazine, and thought I would quickly mention their debut record An Awesome Wave. Despite their moniker (despite it being named after the action on a Mac that gives the symbol, or its mathematical relevance to change - it's a triangle!) breeding thoughts of either diabolical witch-house-gaze-core-whatever or hipster to the power of pretentious twat, the quartet have actually crafted an album that is nigh on uncategorical. Each song lays down the rails on a familiar terrain before the format becomes blurred, sometimes creating a breezy alternative, at others offering a disquieting unease. Joe Newman's high-pitched vocal may irk some (if you aren't a fan of Devendra Banhart's voice, step away now), but I think it works perfectly with this off-kilter mish-mash, the result of four great friends doing whatever the hell they want. You'll want to be a part of this exclusive gang before long.
An Awesome Wave is out through Infectious Records - get it here. Alt-J are touring Australia in October, although no word on a Brisbane show...yet.
Alt-J - Fitzpleasure
And check it the brilliant video for 'Breezeblocks', the standout track on the album that apparently comes from Newman's reading of Maurice Sendik's seminal children's book Where The Wild Things Are.
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