Clues
Clues

Everything that comes from the Unicorns is pure gold: the Islands by Nicholas Thorburn proved it and now it's Alden Penner's turn with his Clues, a project also featuring Brendan Reed from Arcade Fire. The imprinting is fundamental, and in this debut album, the parents' footprints have been perfectly followed: the usual power indie pop that uplifts and spreads enthusiasm, full of catchy melodies and infectious choruses.

"Haarp" is the attempt to fly a kite through snowy streets, then succeeding, pushed by harmonic arpeggios that escalate into a frantic flight. "Remember Severed Head" could be the soundtrack for a liquor commercial; the gentle voice alternates between pauses and restarts, urged on by keyboards, guitar bursts, and an engaging uh uh uh uhuh uhuh uhuh choir; this has always been one of the strengths of the Unicorns family: irresistibly captivating choruses, as in "Approach The Throne", where a persistent and passionate la la la rides a fervent guitar introduced by regal trumpets. "In The Dream" is dim, whispered in the shadow of cymbals with veiled and pseudo-pompous atmospheres, as in "Godless" by the Dandy Warhols. This mood is echoed in "You Have My Eyes Now", the same subdued tone then explodes into a fountain of colors that instills tranquility; this time it's epic uo uooo, over piano touches and a rain-like guitar. "Perfect Fit" could be a song by the Dresden Dolls, pure cabaret characterized by rhythm changes in the piano and a final apotheosis. "Elope" is a love escape, a slow, dense, and melancholic tune reminiscent of Thee More Shallows, while "Cave Mouth" has a certain psychedelic, almost hypnotic allure, with xylophones and guitars worthy of the genre. Gnome-like voices and bouncing music characterize "Crows" when here comes the fantastic "Ledmonton": in the Renaissance intro, the voice whispers, then prepares for an exciting laaa la la la la la laaa to sing at the top of your lungs; the pre-chorus attacks, as well as the melodies, recall "40'" by Franz Ferdinand. Piano and voice offer us a gentle lullaby surrounded by faint howls in "Let's Get Strong" and invite us to rest our kite, but we are sure that we will continue to make it fly even in the future.