Neutrals – New Town Dream (2024) – LOST LITTLE CLASSICS

When I first heard Californian band Neutrals a few months ago, I thought, 'Why the hell would this Scottish band who obviously spend their days listening to Television Personalities, Pastels, RaincoatsWedding Present and the like says he lives in California?'.

Obviously driven by eternal musical curiosity, I went to read something about the former boy trio (today with Lauren Matsui on bass/microphone alongside drummer Phil Lantz and guitarist/vocalist/creator of the thing Allan McNaughton) and discovered the reason for my doubt: Allan, the guy with the out accent is Scottish. End of mystery.

Returning to Neutrals, they do reside in Oakland, from where they released their first full album in 2019 (Kebab disco, by the great Emotional Response label) and last May the always smart Slumberland Records released the group's new album, this New town dream that runs around here now.

Remember those references I mentioned ironically in the first paragraph (including the 'related' ones)? Distribute them unevenly, with a MUCH greater weight on the influence of Television Personalities – both musically and aesthetically and lyrically – and you have the basic formula for this album.

Fast and catchy punk/post-punk/jangle, made to be listened to loudly while shaking your body with a beer in your hand. That's it!