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Genre: alternative pop, experimental, indie
The first 2011 release via Flemish Eye, Native Speaker, is... insistent. Raphaelle Standell-Preston's vocals shine charmingly above the string arrangements and sparse assortment of flutters and bangs. Kudos to Austin Tufts for providing some interestingly mixed percussive stanzas; I just can't seem to get tired of it!
Though Native Speaker is the debut album from Montreal-based Braids, it sounds nothing like one. Their seven tracks are polished, layered, atmospheric, and end too soon (despite every track being longer than four minutes). Rather than a dominant single upstaging, its synth-based tunes create contrast with its symphonic folk melodies. LIYL Florence + the Machine, Björk. Favourite track? "Native Speaker".
The foursome are playing in Montreal on Thursday, followed by Ottawa and Quebec City.
Download "Lemonade" and "Plath Heart" via Flemish Eye.