Manchester sextet Help Stamp Out Loneliness really should have been discovered earlier than late August because their self-titled debut LP could have been the perfect summers soundtrack.
Containing 12 tracks of joyful indie-pop gems that remind me of something in-between Camera Obscura and Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Delightfully waltzing along with shimmering keyboards, jangly guitars and infectious swirling tunes.
The themes are not in your ordinary indie-pop territory, playful melodies often hiding bitter-sweet lyrics such as rock star stalking on "Record Shop" and the romances of Nico on opener "Cottonopolis And Promises" but it's just as accessible and alluring all the same. Vocalist D. Lucille's cool, nonchalant vocals sound in contrast to the instrumentation but it works perfectly, HSOL are simply glorious.
They came to my attention due to their upcoming London gig with promoters Librarians Wanted (one day I'll be able to make one of their gigs) this Saturday, 3rd September. HSOL headline this rather delightful looking night at Kentish Town's Bull & Gate.
Their album came out in May and is a wonderful listen, even for prunes like myself there is nothing to make you resist the urge to start bopping along. Highlights include the wonderfully titled "The Ghost With A Hammer In His Hand", "Cottonopolis And Promises" and best of all, album closure "Split Infinitives". Though if you like what you hear below your are going to love the entire album, it's consistency brilliant. Get it here.
Listen to a couple of tracks below, the entire thing streams on Bandcamp, do buy it too:
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