Album Review: Ex Cops - True Hallucinations

While lo-fi indie dream pop bombards the current airwaves, few bands capture its hazy essence as well as Ex Cops on True Hallucinations. The winding doldrums and contagious hooks of this debut release threaten to unleash a tidal wave of underground popularity to rival that of The Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart in 2009 or Cults in 2011.

It's strange how an album so laden with influences can feel so vital. The Velvet Underground, Pixies and Teenage Fanclub all get a look in, not to mention the breathy overtones of modern counterparts. Surprisingly, the result is more than a well-concocted pastiche. Founding members Brian Harding and Amalie Bruun stitch together a patchwork from their record collection and wrap listeners up so tight they might forget there's a world outside.

The short and flailing intro is a slight misnomer of what's to come. When the record rolls into the upbeat brotherhood of tracks Ken and James there's a sharp left turn into slow swaying merriment. The brooding fuzz of Separator and Nico Beast remind that not all hallucinations are sunshine and rainbows; there's darkness here too, just like those reflective hours before dawn.

With the stamp of producer John Siket (Yo La Tengo, Sonic Youth), potential listeners can be assured that this isn't just another bedroom offering by a bunch of kids with crackly pedals. True Hallucinations doesn't break any molds or reinvent the tried and true Brooklyn recipe, but it doesn't really need to – it succeeds in its simple and honest approach. Sure, there's plenty of room for progression and experimentation, but there's also plenty of time for this fledgling group to find their wings.