Champs: Down Like Gold

It's not hard to imagine what Champs' debut sounds like – it was recorded in the depths of winter in a converted water tower on their native Isle of Wight. Much of Down Like Gold is predictably austere, with folk-led instrumentation bolstered by the haunted harmonies of brothers David and Michael Champion. And, yes, touchpoints include Fleet Foxes (the hymnal patter of St Peter and White Satellite ). Still, the Champions wisely choose not to base their entire oeuvre around such delicate atmospherics. The influence of fellow musical duo Empire of the Sun glimmers on the upbeat folk-pop groove of My Spirit Is Broken , while the unique quirky rasp supplied by both voices is a distinguishing characteristic throughout. The overall result is an album that is moderately homogenous, but likeable in spite of that fact. champschampschamps.com
Download: My Spirit Is Broken, St Peter