She Like Electric
Somewhat unfortunately, it’s impossible to access Smoosh’s arresting debut without taking into account the ages of the group’s two members at the time of its release: keyboardist/vocalist Asya is 12 and the drummer is her 10-year-old sister, Chloe. Try to get past the pre-teen status of the duo and listen toShe Like Electricon its own terms and you’ll encounter a striking collection of 14 playful, adventurous, eclectic indie-pop originals. Recalling everything fromBen FoldstoQuasito a youngJoni Mitchell, Asya exhibits talent that’s matched by considerable ambition as she glides through songs that draw on pop (the bouncy "It’s Not Your Day to Shine), punk ("La Pump"), hip-hop (the truly rad "RAD"), and, honestly, ‘70s No Wave (the shrill, screeching "Bottlenose"). Strikingly unselfconscious and inventive, and yet oddly mature,She Like Electricdelights at every turn.--Steven Stolder