This newest buzz band out of England has more than lived up to the hype with their self- titled debut. Friendly Fires are crafting a unique sound, mixing equal parts electronica, shoegaze, and indie-dance rock, both refreshing and interesting. Sounding a little more abstract than MGMT, yet more pop grounded than Cut Copy, we have Friendly Fires striking a perfect balance and dazzling the entire way. The first single and opening track “Jump In The Pool” feels both spacey and immediate, demanding attention but allowing you to explore for yourself. The jangly guitars and heavy synth create a watery backdrop to the musings of plunging into a new life, the ideal soundtrack to rebirth. The jittery groove of “In The Hospital” dares you not to shimmy, with “White Diamonds” sounding like a modern recreation of “Tainted Love,” both haunting and alluring, and also featuring a chorus that grabs on to you and won’t let go. “On Board” can’t help but draw comparisons to the Rapture, yet they twist the sound into something of their own. The wispy “Photobooth” will have you both nodding your head and tapping your feet, with the blipping, shaky “Skeleton Boy” having you do more of the same. Friendly Fires really hit their stride with the anthem “Paris,” a song of promises and hopes of a better life, the luscious chorus, bouncy synth, and quick beat forming the perfect compliment to the song’s message. This debut has an overall tone of hope and new life, something that I believe we are all full of. Sometimes this music will hit you at the perfect moment, and when it does it is such a surreal experience. Friendly Fires aren’t so much creating music as they are creating moments, and with continual growth and experimentation, we may find these boys creating the perfect dance rock record.
Key Tracks: “Jump In The Pool” “Paris” “White Diamonds”
9.5/10
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