QUICK SPINS: Under-The-Radar Edition
By Michele Lenni in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 4, 2010 6:20PM
Time for the Devil
John and Jehn are a couple originally making their home in France now living in London with a stylish and sensual sound owing itself to the likes of Serge Gainsbourg , The Jesus and Mary Chain and Joy Division. Time for the Devil is their second effort, and definitely superior to their self-titled debut in 2008, which is much more lo-fi and clunky.
Both members, Nicholas Conge and Camille Homier, lend their slick, sultry vocals to the records dark pop aesthetic. Each song is extremely well-crafted and could make it very easily from your living room to the dance floor. The album sometimes has some kitschy tendencies; many tracks could easily fit into a dark, romantic horror flick soundtrack, a-la Twilight, with songs like Vampire and Ghosts.
Don’t let the ominous nature of the songs fool you; this is a great pop record that reminds us that just because you are dark, doesn’t mean you have to sit in your room, read Nietzsche, and sulk.
ESSENTIAL TRACK: Londontown
Reviews of Kisses and Yeti Lane after the jump.
Kisses 
Heart of the Nightlife
Yeah, so we admit that the name leaves a bit to be desired, but we just can’t get this record off our turntable here at Chicagoist. This Los Angeles duo’s sunny yet sad songs are very reminiscent of some of our other favorites like Australia’s Cut Copy and French disco enthusiasts, The Avalanches.
Smooth, dreamy vocals lie gently on top of John Hughes-movie-inspired-synth and simplistic electronic percussion, making this a favorite of ‘80s nostalgia enthusiasts. A great deal of records this year have taken us a couple listens for us to get excited about them, but this one had us sold on the first listen.
Heart of the Nightlife is definitely a summer record for relaxing afternoons and perhaps a fancy drink with an umbrella in it. The record has enveloped us with its sappy, sad and sonically dreamy personality.
ESSENTIAL TRACK: Bermuda
Yeti Lane 
Sonic Cathedral
Though their name, a play-on-words of the classic song Penny Lane, suggests a Beatles tribute band if we ever heard one, the songs of the duo, formerly of the post-rock Parisian duo, Cyann & Ben, live up to their nomenclature. Released in January 2010, we here at Chicagoist are still having trouble understanding why this band and its straight-forward rock album haven’t received more accolades stateside.
Across the pond, music publications like NME have hailed them as, “a combo of weighty classicism and a sparkling freshness,” but stateside most people, even indie-snobs, have not even heard of them. With a sound that reminds us of other ‘90s indie pop giants like The Shins and Pavement with touches of Prague-rock giants Stereolab, we are still curious why publications like Pitchfork aren’t following their every-waking-move. Shimmering vocals accompany punchy guitar riffs and swirling synth and organ, on what can definitely be dubbed a ‘90s revivalist pop record.
Either way, we love this record and think that it should be rocking your turntable immediately.
ESSENTIAL TRACK: Lonesome George