I really love Local Natives. I’m more excited about their new album ‘Hummingbird’ (out January 29th) than any I can remember for a while. Their debut, Gorilla Manor, was among my most played albums of 2009/2010. There’s something about the way they do soaring melodies and inventive percussion that makes their sound really rich. They are at once poppy and melodic and brooding and clever.

Breakers isn’t a huge departure for them – it still sounds very much like Local Natives. They’ve darkened things up a little, perhaps – there’s none of the cuteness of ‘Airplanes’ here. I’m hopeful that it’s a sign of good things to come.

 /HC

*Artist #574