(Liberation)

Clever indie pop perfect for festivals

Like, whatever, they’re nerds and nerds by definition can’t be cool, what with their quirky suits and crisply starched whites and thick-rimmed glasses and – omigosh these guys are so très cool. The five chaps’ cheekily named first album Listen To Little Red lived up to their boast, equipping Little Red with high praise from critics and catapulting them out of the Melbourne suburbs. The question pondered in the time since their debut was whether they’d bow under the pressure of creating an equal if not better second album. Two years later, Midnight Remember emerges with attitude enough to assail any such fears. From the onset their second album hooks susceptible listeners with floaty tunes such as Get A Life and foundling hit Rock It, before sucker-punching us with songwriting brilliance in tracks All Mine and I Can’t Wait. Little Red’s signature cultured indie pop structures intermingle with transcendent group harmonies, which are then given a whole new layer of depth with horns and twinkly piano. The Little Red philosophy towards sharing vocal duties, reminiscent of classic rock & roll bands, gives them a timeless retro quality and a degree of differentiation from others. The quintet has developed their unique sound and matured in the process, delving into a more fragile, mortal awareness of life. Along the way they’ve created a polished and proficient album that will have enough hits to fuel Little Red’s live shows and make kids go crazy at every summer festival they don a tie for.

***½

SAM HAGAMAN

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*