They Were Apparently Promised Jetpacks

These Four Walls

Clearly the winner of this year’s “Best Band Name” among the debuts, We Were Promised Jetpacks just recently released These Four Walls, a collection of emotive, raw, anthemic tunes that belie their frosh status.  Definitely qualify for a “Recommended If You Like” description that includes labelmates and fellow countrymen Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad, two of my favorites in recent years.  Perhaps it’s the Scottish accents, so thick they are not lost in the vocals, that add a certain gnarl to the songs.  Or maybe it’s the painful emotion-on-the-sleeves approach that grabs the listener and pulls her/him in.  Or it could be the straight-up, clearly instrumented, alternative music approach that is so refreshing.

For me it is some combination of these things that puts this release in my list of favorites so far this year.  In the coming months, We Were Promised Jetpacks will embark on a US tour with the aforementioned Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad that unfortunately will not stop anywhere close to Raleigh.  But, according to their label, WWPJ and The Twilight Sad will continue touring the east coast along with brakesbrakesbrakes.  Hopefully that leg of the tour will come close as I really want to see these guys live.  You’ll definitely read about it here if it does!

Here’s a track off this album called “Quiet Little Voices.”  Enjoy!

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