I’ve been going to concerts on a much less frequent basis lately, but somehow I’ve made it out twice in the last six months to see Brooklyn shoegaze/indie pop duo Asobi Seksu. Partly because they are signed to the wonderful label, Polyvinyl Records, which is based in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois and brings them to this area a bit more, but also because they provide one of the most effervescent, mesmerizing, and spectacularly loud shows around. James Hanna’s pedal gazing, shoe gazing guitar work provides a tidal wave of sound while Yuki Chikudate’s gorgeous vocals absolutely soar.
The new album shifts the band’s sound slightly, still living in a shoegaze world but now incorporating more traditional indie pop elements. This results in hugely catchy tracks like “Me and Mary”, which is a fast-paced whirlwind of a song that zips in and out in under three minutes. Yuki really shines here with her ethereal, multi-layered vocals. The lush guitar and lively drumming fill in all the spaces giving the track a massive, full-bodied sound. The artwork-inspired video gives you a bunch of cool things to look at, as Yuki and James perform underneath some sweet animation effects and lots of feathers falling in slow motion. I’m really digging the minimalist color scheme also. Watch the video below and grab the track for free at Insound (you can also buy Hush while you’re there).
