July Talk
Touch
(Island)
One of the hardest working Canadian bands and Juno Award winners, this second album from July Talk continues Leah Fay and Peter Dreimanis’s antipodal vocal styles (think Tom Waits vs pop friendly and sultry) while shifting into more muscular hooks, melodies and grooves. While the album is dark lyrically, there’s a danceable disco and synth element mixed with dreamy piano work and noisey, ambient rock that takes nods at Bikini Kill, Nick Cave or even Arcade Fire. While the tempos, volumes and mood are constantly fleeting, the quality, energy and harsh against soft dynamics are unwavering and intriguing. These guys and gal have already become stars in their home country, and while there’s still plenty of grit present here, it’s an accessible enough listen to likely produce similar results worldwide.
