Broken Bow

For their fourth full-length album, Northwest siblings Nicholas and Heather Larimer (as Eux Autres, French for “them others”) take their twee-leaning pop onto a more grown-up playground. Where echoing handclaps and a Beat Happening-style minimalism colored their previous release, Cold City, here the sound is fuller and the vibe is darker, though the band does its darnedest to keep things buoyant and poppy. Guitars snake and pulse with a post-punk edge (“Jamais,” “Wind Me Up”) or strum and jangle in minor chord territory (“You’re Alight,” “Rosehill”).  Standout track “Under Rays” is warmed with vintage keyboards and an irresistible vocal trill; the track hints at the Velvets-style melancholy that occasionally surfaces on Broken Bow. Echoing bass drums, reverbed keyboards and Heather’s girl-group delivery evoke Phil Spector on “Go Dancing” and the Springsteen-penned “My Love Will Not Let You Down,” but the band’s own distinct musical voice lends Broken Bowa wonderfully original, nuanced feel. It’s an under-appreciated gem from 2010.