Amy's Fresh Meet: Hooded Fang
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Hooded Fang have been bubbling under the indie pop surface since releasing their first EP in 2008. But the Canadians only just grabbed my attention with their debut album, 'Hooded Fang Album'. It came out last month and it's part of that shambolic, loose guitar pop that has become so popular in the last couple years, but it has subtle layers bringing fairly simple song structures to more atmospheric places.
Throughout the album, the percussion is kept straight forward and almost child like. There's plenty of glockenspiel, harmonies, accordion, whistling and generally sickly sweet choruses. But Daniel Lee's warm and rich vocals add a much needed depth to the music. The melody's are first and foremost with Hooded Fang and it feels like a school yard version of Beach House via Ohbijou or a 'rough round the edges' Camera Obscura. Make sense? Basically, if they were Irish, they'd no doubt be part of the Popical Island crew.
The melody of 'Straight Up Deal' has elements of a stripped back Vampire Weekend, 'Lost Song' could be on a Devendra Banhart album and single 'Highway Steam' has elements of the current west coast indie-pop scene, but all are ever rooted in their sound with gorgeous and simple vocal additions, trumpet, and trudging bass.
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In almost typical Canadian fashion, the Toronto based troupe have 7 musicians in the line-up, and this 'friends together' vibe comes across in the record. After listening to the whole album, it's sooooo sweet I fear for my teeth are slowly rotting with every listen. But every now and again we've got to treat ourselves! Right?? Even if we know it's only a fleeting pleasure?
Have a taster here:
You can listen to the album online at their
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