Fondness

No Middle Name/ Fondness. UK band’s second album. Indie pop with elements of shoegaze and 1980’s electronic influences. Album is a blend of different styles all delivered well, although in need of cohesiveness.

FCC clean
Try 1, 3, 4, 8, 9

1. * (2:59) Love in Stereo Sound – male vocals, danceable, fun guitar, accompanied by jumping bass, sounds like Belle and Sebastian
2. (2:21) Reject Club – swingy guitar, male vocals, some reverb
3. * (2:04) Satyrday Girl Sunday Boy – horns in the beginning, continues with an ‘80s jumping rhythm reminiscent of The Cure, male and female vocals
4. * (3:28) Television Soul – drums introduce, shoegazy guitar, male vocals
5. (2:10) Topshop Shelf – acoustic guitar, male vocals, easy listening
6. (3:19) Sister – ‘80s like bass, gothic guitar rifts yet surfy vibes, no vocals
7. (3:56) The Boy Before – male vocals, sad undertones, ends with chorus-like synth
8. * (5:29) Fading Photo – begins with ambient sounds overlaid with horn, then continues to what reminds me of a slower version of Bloc Party, reverb background vocals, ends with the same intro
9. ** (3:28) Forget What You Know – heavy distortion, fuzzy guitar, reminds me of The Cribs, ends with space-y synth
10. (4:10) Brother – electric drums, surfy loop followed by an abrupt outburst of sound midway, no vocals probably to complement their track “Sister”
11. (7:14) Fondness – pop-y, male vocals, phone tones with ambient sounds that are soon overpowered by ‘80s video game synth, blends to a pop segment