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Album reviews Music

Gay

Rating: NNN


Despite an irritatingly ironic album title designed to provoke flashbacks to 90s Eurodance, Toronto foursome Gay are a fairly earnest indie pop group.

Their debut full-length distills postmodern British art rock and American pop influences into a restless, lo-fi sound that gleefully chronicles the delights of dating, friendship and hanging out.

At times it feels like Gay’s embrace of Roxy Music-style prog pop song structures is an excuse to show off by packing in as many notes, intros and solos as possible. But the most appealing moments are the simplest: the radio-worthy hook on park-life anthem It’s Summer, the brash energy of Dante And Susan, the straightforward love song Military Man and the sprightly riff on lead single Chrysotile.

Gay also place a refreshing emphasis on lyrical prowess. They follow the classic rule of writing from experience (however trivial), but often Gay’s simple pleasures get lost in ambitious displays of virtuosity.

Top track: Chrysotile

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