California, US of A

Marc posted about these guys last week, but I thought it was high time their debut EP got an official look in. Not only because it's good (and it is damn good), but also because Modular have signed a band that'll finally shock those Van He's and She's right out of their Ksubis. "Where are the heavy beats? The poppy hooks? The uber-climactic structures? ...This is Modular, right? Shit there's something wrong with my stereo"

There's still the drum machines, handclaps and synths. But this little folktronic* fourpiece intertwines them all with a simple innocence that breaks completely from the Presets, Cut Copies and Klaxons that dominate the rest of the label. And if the tastemakers at Modular are looking for alternatives to neo electro/new rave/whatever-you-call-it, then firstly: THANK GOD, and secondly: Softlightes are a good one. The name of their first full length album (out next Feb) says it all - Say No To Being Cool Say Yes To Being Happy.

Imagine the Postal Service having a chamomile tea party with Architecture In Helsinki, while the Unicorns frollick around in the back garden, laughing merrily and pushing each other into shrubs and whatnot. It's carefree, but it's intelligent; there's a lot going on, but it's still wonderfully simple - and the two songs we're posting will flow over your Saturday morning with a sweet optimism sure to calm your aching hangover and violated eardrums.

MP3: Girlkillsbear (Lo-Fi-Fnk Remix)
MP3: Introduction To Sunshine
Myspace: here


*Yes. It's an actual genre. I checked wikipedia and everything.

Labels: Architecture In Helsinki, The Presets