James Supercave make their album debut this month with Better Strange, out on Fairfax Recordings on February 12. It is a perfect album title for the band, as they prove themselves masters of the odd angles and off-kilter pop melodies that are littered throughout their record, turning unlikely musical directions into indie gold. Slightly queasy synths and frontman Joaquin Pastor's distinctive vocals anchor songs like "Burn" and "The Right Thing," giving their dynamic, rhythmic structures an otherworldly, Radiohead-esque sheen.
Their refusal of the ordinary made them perfect candidates for touring with the likes of Warpaint & Future Islands, among others. Even their album trailer video seems seductively ominous (until it breaks out in glorious colors). In the end, does this make James Supercave's album worth a listen? I give a resounding yes!
-Eric J. Lawrence