Rating: NNN
Cut Off Your Hands may be close to Cut Copy in terms of geography (COYH are from New Zealand Cut Copy from Australia), but this four-piece eschews synths and beats for tried-and-true post-punk guitars and emotive Brit-rock vocals.
On explosive pop gem Turn Cold, guitarist Michael Ramirez channels Phoenix’s Consolation Prizes with carefree This Charming Man-esque guitar licks. Frontman Nick Johnston sometimes errs on the side of being too emo, but he never gets into cringe-worthy Kele Okereke territory. Fans of the Editors will certainly dig the dour pop Expectations, while the album’s optimistic anthemic opener, Happy As Can Be, offers the record’s most memorable moments.
Top track: Happy As Can Be
