London-based Citizens! is hard to put in a genre-box, and that’s completely intentional. The band’s goal in making their debut album, Here We Are, was to craft something unique, something hobbled together out of disparate elements and unlike other popular music. They did a damned good job. The group described one of their songs, “True Romance,” as “Kanye West producing an Arcade Fire song.” If you’re intrigued, read on.

Here We Are debuts in the United States on October 9th, but I was lucky enough to hear the album a bit earlier. The aforementioned “True Romance,” the first track on the album, is available for a listen below. The song combines electronic beats with a study percussive beat and mellowed vocals. It’s a fairly good sampling of what you can expect from the rest of the album. The sound is not quite traditional pop, the lyrics are well done, and the melody is inescapably catchy.

Another highlight on the album is “(I’m In Love With Your) Girlfriend.” The in-your-face lyrics are underscored by the forceful beat. It’s a brilliantly done piece; catchy, abrasive, and downright fun.

If you’ve grown tired with mainstream pop, then give Citizens! a listen. After you’ve listened to “True Romance” below, you’ll find yourself wishing October would hurry up and arrive.

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