Album Review: Animaux - Vale St

Incorporating a touch of juvenility in their thoroughly well-crafted songs, Animaux present a contagious offering that brims with life and energy. Tropical opener, White Collar Love, highlights their distinctive brand of pop funk, in which frontwoman Alex Lahey's warm, expressive vocals take centre stage over driving, anticipatory percussion. A breather amongst the frenzy, slower follow-up, Alaska is poignant in tone and lyrical content. But brightness and rhythm still punctuate this track – perhaps the most impressive and unusual in a swaggering, groove-heavy release. They play at Northcote Social Club on 5 Dec.