Walpurgis Family

Dawn Popical Island***

It seems the Popical Island collective is on a roll. Following Tieranniesaur's showing in last week's Choice Music Prize shortlist, along comes another band to add to the kudos. Walpurgis Family plough the kind of indie-pop furrow you've been dragged along before (particularly if you're a fan of blueprinted 1980s indie tunesmithery such as Josef K and Orange Juice), but there's an apparent freshness of approach that filters through fairly quickly. Domestic Violence, Jurassic Park, Darkness Falls Onto Eleonore's Party, and Winter Nightsfracture the oft- perceived notion that all indie- pop is twee. Landlord,the final tune, adopts a freeform wig-out (just dig those cray-zee sax and clarinet swoops by contributor Dina Ryan), leaving the lasting impression of a band kneeling at the altar of great music while keeping an eye open for more out-there opportunities. walpurgisfamily.bandcamp.com

Download tracks: Domestic Violence, Winter Nights, Landlord