The Fulmars - s/t

Somewhat mysterious Hagen-based duo The Fulmars have been floating around almost imperceptibly in the no-scene micro-underground for a few years now, fronting (without showing any front at all) their own Hüüpnootsche Platen Un Kassettenlabel imprint and appearing for equally mysterious labels like Kashual Plastik with music that's garnered them some kudus but kept the veil mostly undrawn. This self-titled debut long-player arrives couched in their requisite enigma, but does also reveal a little bit more of what they're about. We get 13 songs of drum-machine clatter and lo-fi intent that suggests a weirdo reframing of the charm offensive, spirit driven outsider song of Modern Lovers, Beat Happening, 39 Clocks and so forth. How much you love this will depend almost entirely on your capacity for nasally, pitched up vocals, which might be tricky for some but serves as catnip for me, giving off as it does that feeling of give-a-fuck punk insoicance that aint afraid to tie itself to a good singalong melody (even when the words remain partially beyond full comprehesion). If Low Company were still churning them out, this is the kind o of thing I'd have fully expected to be on their radar, perfect kin to the likes of Bobby Would and Itchy Bugger, still very much its own oddball mess of joy and intent. 

FFO: Bobby Would, 39 Clocks, Beat Happening, Johnathan Richmann