It Hugs Back
Inside Your Guitar

The It Hugs Back, a very young band from Kent (England), arrive at their debut album, following an EP that went unnoticed by most. The album is called "Inside Your Guitar" and is signed by the historic 4AD; indeed, if you like, we can describe their sound as a well-shaken mix of many bands that have come under that record label.

"Inside Your Guitar" is based on a sublime and light-hearted dream pop driven by shoegaze energy and those warm, sunny sounds typical of twee pop. This latter factor connects the band to the Swedish scene of Labrador Records, with bands like Radio Dept. leading the way. Nevertheless, the sounds are also reminiscent of typical Scottish alternative pop bands; we're talking about bands like the Cocteau Twins, Belle and Sebastian, and even the shoegaze style of the Jesus and Mary Chain among others.

The album immediately gives, with the opener "Q", that faint and subdued sense where shoegaze emerges always without malice. Soft and fragrant pop melodies are often encountered, sometimes vaguely melancholic ("Work Day"), sometimes simpler and more reassuring, as in "Forgotten Song" and "Soon", where the situation becomes a bit monotonous. The situation is reignited immediately after with tracks having a more aggressive sonic texture, typical of shoegaze, such as "Back Down" and "Unawere". The album's finale is equally intense, with surprises like the power pop of "Now And Again" or the six minutes of "Reharsal", with its ending full of feedback and reverberations. Then reality returns, and the dream ends.

Album wholly interpretive "Inside Your Guitar", where it's hesitant to discern whether sounds or emotions and senses are felt first. The only flaw is that sense of flatness and slight immaturity. Small gaps that will undoubtedly be filled in the years to come because these guys are on it, and how.

 Rating: 7/10