Beth Israel

***Received a 7.1 rating from Pitchfork. For most of us, Austin's elusive BETH ISRAEL are still very much a mystery. Those lucky enough to hear their eponymous 2013 cassette tape would far outnumber those lucky enough to catch one of their few live sets. When listening to Dental Denial, the duo's debut LP, one hears that the lonesome dark-pop that sparked underground curiosity contains a new and exciting depth. Clearly benefiting from economy, within Beth Israel's sparseness lies a refreshing sense of restraint that suggests English post-punk and NDW. Yet underneath the drum-machine precision of Dead Bodies lies an oddball humor that seems to wink at you from across dance floor. Like the weird loner kid that sat in the back of class, Dental Denial is equal parts menacing and alluring. Catchy, danceable and curiously surreal, this record will satisfy those of us who have been waiting eagerly to hear what these Texans will do next.