Spectreview – En Attendant Ana – Juillet

-LIGHT GREEN-

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For many indie-pop bands, it’s almost impossible to reach outside the borders of that genre’s sound, but Parisian band En Attendant Ana do what they can to build their own identity in that field. Lively tempos and chords that clash like streams of water have defined their work since 2016’s Songs from the Cave, but in Juillet, those parts are arranged with several more helpings of focus and confidence. Tracks like lead single “Do You Understand?” and “Somewhere and Somehow” color the proceedings, flooding the ears with unceasing melody and workmanlike drum hits. Everything in this collection somewhat matches that energy, from the Strokes-ish ”Enter My Body (Lilith)” to the chaotic strums of “In / Out” to the bright bounce of closing track “The Light That Slept Inside”. Barring one tiny foray into ambience (“When It Burns”, itself a reprise of opener “Down The Hill”), the record is front-to-back pop tracks, each one an individual treasure.

Recommended for a spring in your step.