Hype sure is strange.  I mean, how many times have you waited for a universally acclaimed new record by a band, gone out and bought it at the first available opportunity, only to be distinctly underwhelmed?  All too often hype acts as a smokescreen, dictating which albums are successes before people even get the chance to decide for themselves.  And, of course, by the time people can make up their minds it’s too late; the album is everywhere, everyone’s already bought it on the strength of outlandishly positive reviews, and it’s already on the radio, on MTV, even being used in adverts.  It’s frustrating, and you’ve got to wonder what you’d have thought of the same album if it had just been quietly released with barely a word as to its musical worth.

So that’s why I feel in quite a privileged position to be one of the first to hear (and form an opinion of) Small Sails’ debut album Similar Anniversaries.  The record is released into the vast musical ocean on March 27th, but has by and large, whether intentionally or otherwise, avoided the hype machine.  The thing is, this is a record which clearly deserves to be heard and justifies being given a substantial degree of hype, as well the superlatives which accompany such attention.  Not only does it feel very fresh, it is one of the most confident debuts I’ve heard in a long time.  The observant amongst you may know that the band had a previous incarnation under the name Adelaide, which explains just why this project seems so accomplished, but also perhaps reinforces this notion of them needing to draw a line in the sand to do justice to the new direction which their music had taken.  Again, attesting to this sense that the band have really tried to nail the record on the head, the 5 track Hunter Gatherer EP seems to test the waters with many of the albums strongest tracks, a few of which have been slightly tinkered with to fit the final product. 

I guess by now you’re getting impatient and wondering what the album actually sounds like.  Well it’s soulful electronic pop action, relaxing but upbeat, the kind of thing you might expect Caribou to sound like if they were a little less into hip-hop, or perhaps the Animal Collective if they were administered a large dose of sedatives.  The overall feel of the album is one of innocence and exploration - a pleasant naivety which manages to avoid straying into the realms of irritation or randomness which the aforementioned collective can often be found.  And like the two band previously mentioned, Small Sails have their own peculiar style of creating songs which can make you feel like you’re relaxing with a cool beer in the sunshine, when in fact you’re just trying to keep warm on a cold wintry night.  Their songs are intricately crafted from twinkly synth lines, acoustic guitar loops, blissed-out backing vocals, electronic drum blips, and very occasional shoegaze style half-whispered lead vocals.  Given the musical ingredients identified here, it is impressive that the band manages to avoid sounding twee.  On the contrary, however, each song has a considerable depth, albeit through an all-pervading haze of summertime nostalgia. 

It should also be mentioned that in addition to being genuinely uplifting, every track on Similar Anniversaries is catchy as hell.  Perhaps it should be stated as a warning that the incomprehensible backing vocals and European sounding synth of “Aftershocks and Afterthoughts” have been playing inside my head since the first time I heard the track.  Not that this is particularly unpleasant, but you’ll inevitably find yourself playing certain tracks over and over, which will no doubt drive anyone else you live with absolutely insane.  But for every catchy tune or backing vocal there’s also a mellow, introspective groove to act as a counterbalance, and this is what gives the album its dynamics. 

It's this yin/yang approach which, for all its simplicity, gives the album its finest moments.  The movement from upbeat and happy to downbeat and introspective on “Earthbound with Parents” or vice-versa on album closer “No Spirit Animal” may seem contrived, but they are executed with such subtlety and finesse that you cannot help but become absorbed in their brilliance.  But that’s not to single out these tracks as particular standouts; every song seems to incorporate a similar dynamic movement but with a different intention and outcome each time.  More than likely you’ll find, (as I did) the task of choosing a favourite from these 10 tracks an impossible venture.  My advice is simple, don’t even try.  Just go buy the album now.  And then spread the word; for once the hype can be justified.

-Alan Miles