Shout Out Louds

Let’s do the time warp again! Yes, listening to this Swedish band’s sophomore album, you’ll swear you’re back in an adolescent haze of bad poetry and smeared lipstick. Or, to be more accurate, this sounds more like the Cure than the Cure do nowadays. But it’s actually more of a "Friday, I’m In Love” kind of Cure, meaning that this is pretty catchy and fun music that delights with ease. Maybe some of the fun could be attributed to Bjorn Yttling, the middle guy in Peter, Bjorn and John, who brings his classic pop production sheen to this album. Take the incredible opener "Tonight I Have To Leave It,” which has a rolling drumbeat, and clattering percussion, that throws the listener into euphoria instead of building up to it. Another triumph is the beautiful and layered "South America,” where the climax burns with that ’80s pop feel and warmth. It’s tempting to write this off as throwback music but Shout Out Louds are too clever for such shallowness. Here, they continue on the journey started by the Cure and mix in other new influences and feelings. This is definitely fun, poppy and subtly intelligent music that will continue to grow.