1.26.2012 | 5:00 am

New Music: Hospitality – ‘Friends of Friends,’ ‘Betty Wang’

Hospitality

For my money, the mega-jams on Hospitality’s near-perfect self-titled debut are the gentle “Eighth Avenue” and “Liberal Arts,” two twee tracks that give Fred Thomas a run for his King of Indie-Pop crown. But singles “Friends of Friends” and “Betty Wang” come pretty close, offering singer Amber Papini’s coyly post-Chrissie Hynde melodic acrobatics and the band’s thoughtful, full-bodied arrangements. (“Betty Wang” closes with a downright Nels Cline-y guitar spasm.) Related: would anyone complain if I just posted indie-pop all year? Is there any reason not to?

Hospitality – Friends of Friends by MergeRecords

Hospitality – Betty Wang by MergeRecords

Hospitality is out 1/31 on Merge Records, who love us and want us to be happy.

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  • Marion Hodges

    The answer to that final question is no. There is absolutely no reason not to post indiepop all year. No one will complain :)

    P.S. I have a feeling you’re going to be pretty jazzed when you hear the Sweater Girls full length (whenever it’s ready). I’ve been listening to the early mixes this weekend, it’s good…