Band to Watch: Los Campesinos!

Listening to Los Campesinos!, one suspects a crazy party could break out at any moment like a scene from some lost 80’s flick. In their song “It Started With A Mixx”, seven-piece Los Campesinos! seem to self-reference their sound with the well-stated lyric, “Trying to find the perfect match between pretentious and pop.” Thankfully, the Welsh band skillfully puts their music where their mouths are and delivers songs that straddle the line between twee and something more dangerous.

Alternating between raucous male and euphonic female vocals, LC! (as they’re known in some circles) have been compared to Art Brut, The Futureheads, and Broken Social Scene. At once manic and controlled, “We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives” is a two and a half minute blast that delivers precisely what the title promises. By comparison, the densely layered “You! Me! Dancing!” clocks in at over six minutes and demonstrates LC! are more than capable of writing a lengthier track that never overextends its welcome. Check out these tracks and prepare yourself for spontaneous shindigs to breakout!

MP3:
Los Campesinos! - “We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives”
Los Campesinos! - “You! Me! Dancing!”

VIDEO:
“We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives”