Gauntlet Hair – Stills

Gauntlet Hair – Stills (Dead Oceans)

This Denver-based duo, founded by best pals Craig and Andy, make danceable avant-pop music. Their 2011 debut was an energetic and enjoyable hodgepodge of Animal Collectivist vocals, blissful, pounding Sleigh Bells-y drum machines, the deadpan delivery of the Dismemberment Plan’s Travis Morrison and guitar stylings that ranged from shoegaze to post-punk. They moved from Denver back to their hometown of Chicago, and found inspiration for their sophomore album in the music of their rebellious teen years. Accordingly, they’ve referred to Stills as ‘a modern salute to Trent Reznor’. Aside from the deeper and slightly more menacing vocals I don’t really see the connection, but that doesn’t mean listening to it won’t get you closer to God.