Craft Spells

Craft Spells originally started out as the bedroom project of Stockton, CA's Justin Vallesteros, but has since evolved into a full-fledged band. Playing up-tempo indie pop with a sweet tinge of melancholia, their sound is informed by early '80s British synth-pop and New Zealand's Flying Nun stable (whose roster was an influence on that other Stockton indie band, Pavement). Also audible on Idle Labor are echoes of the Radio Dept., Cut Copy and New Order, whose Power, Corruption & Lies is paid homage to via the flowery cover art. "After The Moment" and "Party Talk" are the single cuts so far, but given the quality of the songwriting and the lack of filler, almost any of the tracks are worthy of release. This is a near-perfect summer album and one of the best pop records of the year so far.