Pitchfork Forkcast: On Repeat: Electrelane: "To the East" [MP3]

On Repeat: Electrelane: "To the East" [MP3]

While you're reading this, Brighton four-piece Electrelane-- who include former Pitchfork staffer Mia Lily Clarke-- is probably holed up somewhere in England preparing for their first European tour behind their fourth album, No Shouts, No Calls. The record is still two months from release, but they'll be opening 14 shows for what may be the world's biggest band still on an independent label, Arcade Fire, in late March. That package makes perfect sense: Arcade Fire and Electrelane start, at least, from the same rulebook of writing buoyantly charged hooks.

But Electrelane plays its crescendos closer to the vest, better students and disciples of established rules for builds and progressions. "To the East" owes that dedication a high-five: The second track and first single off of No Shots, No Calls, it's a patient but surefire infiltrator. The first two-and-a-half minutes are Motorik in insistence, slight rhythmic shuffles, carefully doubled vocals, and gently bent keys campaigning for climax. Finally, a ragged guitar takes the lead, making everything a bit more nervous and shaky. And then, the band takes it away only to do it again. This synthesized pipe organ won't make you cry, but you'll be too busy bouncing to notice.

MP3: > Electrelane: "To the East"
[from No Shouts, No Calls LP; out 04/30/07]