While that name — and arguably, most of the acts on the 12-track compilation — screams “off-putting teen band,” that’s not the case. The disc holds wide appeal, from tweens to their middle-aged parents. (Just don’t tell the tweens.)
Manchester trio The Longcut could also describe its six-minute-plus contribution, “Told You So,” whose uptempo darkness is brightened with a drum-fueled break at the middle that continues willy nilly for the rest of the cut. A B & The Sea’s "Bone Dry," rides high on both vocals and optimism, while The Shaded Forests’ "Deastro" bubbles with pop friendliness.
At nearly the album’s halfway point, Simian Mobile Disco’s edit of “Sweetbread,” the soundtrack grows more electronic — mostly for good, not evil. “Flash Back” by Capsule is more aggressive than memorable, and the Congorock/Alle Benassi collaboration, “Sirius,” is too clubby for my tastes (I can smell the sweat and obnoxious cologne), but Strfkr gets back on track with “Bury Us Alive,” whose melodies fly with Phoenix-like grandeur.
Class Actress femmes things up with “Keep You,” complete with synth hand claps. Meanwhile, Bikini is one of the true finds; its “American Mourning” fills out a buoyant sound with wispy vocals and earthly touches. Finally, and not surprisingly, M83 knocks it out of the park with the appropriately titled "This Bright Flash," another soaring instrumental of anthemic ambition. —Rod Lott
