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***Galia Durant and Carim Clasmann's debut album is stuffed full of memorable, friendly tunes that nod toward traditional songwriting without hiding the rough edges. Unashamed choruses proudly sit atop intricate, warm electronics, plucked violins, broken toy keyboards and microphones left in the rain. The oddest sounds and fragmented melodies jostle for space. But in heartbreakingly honest numbers like "The Counter," the vulnerability of the music is truly exposed. Tiger, My Friend wears its heart on its sleeve and skips through rain-wet streets, and it does so rather infectiously. Beyond the noises, the squeaks and the downright excessiveness of it, there's more to this record than just tinkering and hysteria. Psapp's lovelorn tunes tell tales of everyday insecurities with a refreshing honesty. And these simple sentiments become more than the sum of their parts. Clasmann is a ridiculously talented producer (credits include Einsturtzende Neubauten, Natacha Atlas, and Susheela Raman) with impeccable judgment and utterly unique technique, perfectly complementing Durant's waywardness, singing and keyboard work, which convey a comfortable intimacy and spreads over the disparate beats with a smoothness that could make butter jealous. |
