The Russian Futurists

Emerging from songwriting and recording exile, the Russian Futurists arrived with a selection of fresh songs. New tracks retained the band's punchy pop sound, still relying on singer/mastermind Matt Hart's whimsy and eloquence, but upping the dance quotient, à  la Los Campesinos! via Most Serene Republic. As with any dance-minded act, the combo's success relied on the drummer, who delivered towering and only occasionally overpowering beats. Like FemBots before them, the Futurists sporadically struggled to overcome the sullied mix, but their rapid-fire delivery and general jubilance largely compensated. And since cameos are always so fun, Cadence Weapon turned up for a guest spot.