Foxes!'s chirpy eponymous debut album has brought a splattering of summery pop to the otherwise dreary month of January. Released on independent record label,
Big Salad Records, the band hailing from Brighton have produced a whimsical album perfect for those rainy days when you just long for summer. Opening track,
Aisle No. 3, seems reminiscent of children's TV programmes from the '90s with lead singer Kayla Bell's soft, breathy voice, maracas and cheery keyboard hooks; and the almost vintagey feel seems to carry on over the rest of the album as well.
The Panda Bear Song is a joyful ditty to the plight of pandas in the world, and the delightful accompanying music video mimics those television charity appeals from the 70s complete with origami folding, juggling and magicians.
However the stand out track on the album is
Oh Rosie, and with a much richer guitar sound, it moves away from the tweeness of some of the other tracks on the album. The exhilarating fast pace of the song complete with frantic drumming and Bell's soothing melodic tone creates an exciting, energetic track far different from much of Foxes!'s other material.
Although at first it might seem that the songs on
Foxes! are lighthearted and humorous, on closer listening it becomes apparent that this is not necessarily the case.
Descartes explores cancer and being resurrected '
just like Jesus did', whilst
Who Killed Rob? is a cautionary tale of why not to eat an ice cream whilst cycling along the road (
see video).
With many of the songs barely even making it to 3 minutes, Foxes! is a brief but joyful album, and I much look forward to seeing what they have in store for us next in 2012.
Foxes! is out on Big Salad Records on Monday 16th January
