The Mae Shi - HLLLYH

The Mae Shi are your annoying little brother/sister; they do your nut in, but secretly you love them dearly: snot, whiney voice and all. Coming on like Animal Collective after a few too many beakerfuls of Sunny Delight, the bratty harmonising even borders on Blink 182 at points. And it just doesn't let up. The Mae Shi have way too much energy and by track four you'll probably be exhausted; always with the playful electronics, head over heels drumming and a guitar sound that is a slightly tempered version of Melt Banana's frenetic assault. They do become a bit cartoonish in places, however, and the album pivots on Kingdom Come; an eleven and a half minute monster that allows a period of reflection between the numerous short tantrums surrounding it. So take this urchin in, wipe its nose, tie its trainers and smile wryly to yourself as it tears round the room causing havoc and breaking your nice lamps. [Matt Gollock]