Uncut: Modern Currencies

This Toronto band made a splash with their debut album and this record is equally charming. A forerunner to bands like Tokyo Police Club (the producer of their album is Uncut drummer Jon Drew), Uncut weaves pretty songs like “Dark Horse” with a darker, indie-rock rhythm. The song also brings to mind a tamer and leaner Forward! Russia. “Hideaway”, meanwhile, is another stellar track that is not quite dance-rock but has enough hi-hat happening to make you groove to it. Sounding a bit more mature, the group nails “New Cities” as well as the edgy “Out of Sight” with its raft of guitar wails. The band is friggin’ relentless, never letting their foot off the pedal with the tight, infectious “Breaking Glass” and the rumbling “Kiss Me”, which evokes Singapore Sling. The homestretch begins with the equally lovely “Minus One” and the urgent “The Night Can See”. No sophomore slump with this gem of an album.