Peel Dream Magazine - Up and Up EP

Tough Love closes out its year with Peel Dream Magazine's maiden release for the label, and the first thing the band have issued since their debut on Slumberland. As the Slumberland connection might suggest, PDM take their cues from the International Pop Underground, but Up and Up represents a new dawn of sorts. Whereas their debut was a subtle and supple reimagining of the outer, more restrained aspects of indiepop, here they emerge louder, more confident, more melodically focused. The title track in particular is a real earworm, Joe Stevens' voice a compelling balm atop a series of 'ba ba bas'. Elsewhere we get ripping MBV/Unrest like buzz and fuzz, and Stereolab metronomic precision in equal measure. For a five track EP, it covers ground impressively, while also retaining a strong sense of identity. Indiepop will never die. But it might just evolve with Peel Dream Magazine.