Laurel Collective
229, London
05/05/2011

The Laurel Collective, or simply Laurel Collective as they’re now known (adios TLC), have been a part of the London leftfield pop tapestry for a few years, however it’s only recently, with the release of ‘Sunshine Buddy’, that they’re splashing around in the waves of proper recognition.  It is the first track from their long awaited, yet-to-be-titled, debut album and the weird, refreshing sound of a more grown up, maybe even REM inspired, London youth.
 
Leader of the band (or one of them anyway) Bob, is a floppy-haired commotion live with constant on-the-spot pogo-ing. He’s not just the main vocalist, he’s also the band’s very own Bez. Despite how off-kilter and obscure Laurel Collective’s music sounds, they certainly know how to put on a party. The venue is draped in fairy lights and packed to the rafters, a rarity these days for 229, and as the band leap towards the ceiling with every chorus the audience is drawn into the frenzy.
 
If you imagine Metronomy as the uncle of 2011’s bizarre pop uprising, Laurel Collective are undoubtedly a disobedient, prep-schooled cousin; their music a well organised chaos of bleeps, melodies and arrangements in disarray.  Live, they are superbly choreographed, brash but charming. A beautiful disorder from a frantically exciting young band.

Joshua Finesilver