Autogramm

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What R U Waiting 4?

Nevado, 2018

9/10

Listen to What R U Waiting 4?

While there are plenty of bands taking apparent nods to the ‘80s, Vancouver’s Autogramm are fully emerged in the sounds of the ‘80s, and even adapt their spelling and graphics to the time period, too.

A trio of musicians who have spent time playing in bands like Hard Drugs, Dysnea Boys and Black Mountain, their collective strength comes together here in one fantastic throwback listen.

“Jessica Don’t Like Rock ‘n’ Roll” starts the effort indebted to bands like The Cars with its buzzing New Wave fun with bright synth and hooky choruses, and “R U Lookin’ 4 Love” complements the affair with firm guitar work amid a quirky setting and even some crunchy moments that reminds us of Devo on steroids.

The good time continues to the warbly “Wandering Eyes”, where a bit of atmosphere lends itself to a more mysterious landscape, while “Cool Kids Radio” cranks the volume up for a garage rock influenced, anthemic delivery. Though there isn’t a bad tune to be found, “The Modern World” is especially noteworthy with its subtle post-punk nods amid a darker delivery.

The record trails off with the bass heavy “Peter Pan”, where power-pop ideas are certainly not in short supply, and “I Wanna Be Whipped” finishes the record with a glorious, upbeat exit that will make you want to drag your roller skates out of storage and bob your head to its contagious melodies.

Jiffy Marx, CC Voltage and The Silo may be names that you can’t take too serious, but these three are no joke when it comes to a perfectly crafted tune that you can sandwich between Thompson Twins and Anomotion.

Travels well with: Dexys- One Day I’m Going To Soar; Anomotion- Raise Your Expectations