Little Comets Make Us Love Them with Their Crafty Pop [stream]

One time, I went to a rock show where the lead singer repeatedly called everyone assholes and sung almost the entire set with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, ashing all over his guitar. At another show, this time a doom-folk singer whom I adore, she abruptly ended her set halfway through and walked off the stage laughing — she never come back out. Whatever their reasons, it was obvious to everyone present that they didn’t give a shit. But there are bands, a whole lot actually, that are begging us to listen. Hearing Little Comets’ Life Is Elsewhere, I felt the band urging me to pay attention to their deftly crafted pop music — they sound like they give a shit.

Life Is Everywhere emits a dynamic, buoyant energy, drawing comparisons to everyone from Paul Simon (Graceland, specifically) to Vampire Weekend. Describing themselves as “kitchen sink indie”, most of the songs on Life Is Elsewhere are bouncy, insistent, celebratory and vying to be danced with, crammed with hyperactive guitar runs and quickly-paced vocals. There are also moments of sobriety, though, in which the band touches on some serious topics (including rape on “Violence Out Tonight”, their latest single/video). These songs are slowed and crafted in a way that makes listeners take a second to be still and really hear what they have to say.

Interesting, excellent word choices and multi-layered, meticulous arrangements make the UK-based three piece’s sophomore record one to be heard. Irresistible in its youthfulness and endearing in its maturity, Life Is Elsewhere’s plentiful earworm tracks assure hard-hitting single after single. Give Little Comets a well-deserved listen, beginning with two of my favorites — “A Little Opus” above, from Life Is Elsewhere, and “Bridge Burn” below from the preceding EP, Jennifer and Other Short Stories.