The Red Sea

At times, the Shondes conjure comparisons to post-punk's volatile spark on songs like "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "Let's Go," and yet they seem most inspired when the orchestra kicks in on "Your Monster" and "The Start Of Everything" as walls of shiver-inducing, epic violins crescendo. Louisa Rachel Solomon's vocals are strong, nimble and graceful on the band's self-released debut, which sees both complex song structures intertwined with direct, inquisitive lyrics. The result is an album rich in saw-tooth guitars, pummeling rhythms and an undeniably anthemic spirit. It's haunting and it's eerie, yet it's rousing. The Shondes are a twisted carnival film noir come true. -CMJ