I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose

I HAD THE BLUES BUT I SHOOK THEM LOOSE, debut by heavily heralded Brit teenage band, is a sleek, polished, balanced listen made up of the kind of punchy, angular, brooding-vocals-and-pounding-bass indie rock that brings to mind Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. "Dust on the Ground" finds the band at its most similar to Franz Ferdinand: a prickling blast of lead singer Jack Steadman's tremulous caterwaul, some blissed-out reverb guitars, and a punchy hook. The band truly shines, though, when it edges into more playful territory, specifically on the Vampire Weekend-esque "Always Like This." Heartfelt songs such as these allow I HAD THE BLUES to stand out as something more than just another take on the angular, moody, post-punk-influenced sound.