Hospitality

***The angular, intricate, and intelligent compositions of HOSPITALITY signal a sophisticated new pop voice. Singer AMBER PAPINI’s idiosyncratic songwriting coupled with the band’s rich arrangements on their self-titled debut explore youth, New York, and the bittersweet commingling of past and present in a way that feels just right, right now. Papini’s singing has a wisp of an English accent via Kansas City (she learned to sing by imitating Richard Butler on The Psychedelic Furs’ Talk Talk Talk) and her lyrics create a moonstruck, even cinematic vision of New York City, where the band formed in 2007. The production by SHANE STONEBACK (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells) and band member NATHAN MICHEL (guitar, drums, keyboards), who released his share of experimental “bedroom” pop, culminating in 2005’s The Beast (Skipp/Sonig), imbues the entire record with an intimate yet prodigious sound, layering period keyboards with horns, synthesizers, and treated guitars. LP limited to 1,000 copies. (STREET DATE - 1/31/2012)