A lot of noise has been made about Fool’s Gold, and with good reason – for this second album from the LA quintet, recorded between Christmas and New Year, is packed full of wonderful things. It shows off a rich heritage that somehow manages to take in Afro and Caribbean beats, ‘80s synth sounds and guitar lines that would easily grace songs from the likes of The Smiths or Orange Juice. It’s a strange but wonderful concoction that works an absolute treat in songs like ‘Tel Aviv’, ‘Wild Window’ and ‘Street Clothes’. The band project a really strong positivity into their music, and when ‘Bark And Bite’ brings everything together for a bit of an Afro beat carnival, it seems like the most natural thing in the world. Vampire Weekend are an obvious comparison for the band, but it feels like Fool’s Gold have more substance to their music, more pop awareness and more emotional depth. Once we have some sunshine in our summer, this record will be the one to use as a soundtrack.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
