Chairlift

Born out of a desire to "make music for haunted houses,” Brooklyn-based trio Chairlift aren’t as frightening, or dark, as they intended to be. Part of a community that includes bands such as MGMT and Yeasayer, Caroline Polachek, Aaron Pfenning and Patrick Wimberly are every bit as eccentric and theatrical as their peers, and perhaps even more well-known, thanks to their "Bruises” being used in the latest iPod ad campaign. Their debut album, Does You Inspire You, takes cues from the spooky aesthetic of the Knife and the less extreme moments of the Creatures without forgetting to be a predominantly accessible pop group. "Planet Health” is a stunning piece of pseudo-Asian pop reminiscent of Siouxsie’s mid-career exoticism, while "Bruises” is some gorgeous ’80s radio throwback, mixing shimmering keys and a minimalist drum machine with Polachek’s emoting, synthetic vocals. "Evident Utensil” is even better, showcasing their ability to channel their bizarro side with the utmost absurdity, convincingly serenading about the importance of a pencil in the campiest of vocals. The album does begin to lose its steam in the last-third but it’s not enough to overshadow the extraordinary character of this inventive group.