Le Loup

Two things signpost excessive pretentiousness here: yet another "wolf” moniker (albeit the French translation) and excessive title verbiage. However, judge not lest ye be judged, as both fit nicely with this band’s obvious talent. First, the name may be a sly wink to other "wolf” bands, showing a flash of humour, and second, the title is taken from a famous outsider art piece — a massive altar made of intricate homemade parts. That especially fits, as there are many moving pieces to these tiny epics, but when they connect, Le Loup create a refreshingly original sound. They come close to post-rock epics, as written by Sufjan Stevens, and are unafraid to stretch out their odd sounds, but they do so with an innate ear for light melody. Indeed, if the incredible closer "I Had A Dream I Died” was done with guitars and drums instead of banjos and layered pianos it would be too heavy, but here it feels light as air, giving the emotions plenty of room. Other beautiful pieces include "Breathing Rapture” and the quite catchy "Le Loup (Fear Not).” Original, beautiful and with just the right amount of eccentricity, mighty things will grow here.