Graham Wright

Shirts vs. Skins was created following a break-up after a tour with Wright's band, Tokyo Police Club. Years later, we're hearing how the light-hearted atmosphere found here emerged from that. Wright, usually a keyboardist, isn't a natural singer, but establishes himself as a confident one, as well as a multi-instrumentalist and witty lyricist. As the first in a planned trilogy of albums written during that time, this solo foray uses characters dripping with snark and irony to tell accessible stories accompanied by fun, friendly music. It's identifiable and honest, feeling like you've heard it before, meaning you're instantly caught by Wright's indie pop guitar-/handclapped-/harmonica-laden hooks. Recorded at Toronto's Chemical Sound studio, using the talents of owners Dean Marino and Jay Sadlowski, as well as Will Currie, Luke Lalonde and Mika Posen, among others, Wright's album shows how he learned to stand on his own, and at the ready.