It Hugs Back - Inside Your Guitar

INDIE

Despite the terrible twee band name, there’s initially something endearing about this Kent foursome’s debut album, opener ‘Q’ leaning heavily on dreamy mid-period Wilco influences to create something eerie yet uplifting. But while Wilco’s experimentalism hides razor-sharp, soul-searching ideas, this lot spend most the album looking down the back of the sofa for a meaningful phrase or a noticeable melody.

Ethereal mumblings and wistful sighs do not make for an engaging band, which is a shame, because they create an intriguing atmosphere on occasion, it’s just crying out for some personality to lift it all out the doldrums.

(4AD)