by Dave Macindoe

A new band from London demands to have its name yelled, and not only because it’s written in all capitals and is concluded by an exclamation mark. CITIZENS! are an alternative electronica band one day away from releasing their debut album, Here We Are.

This British 5-piece was recently signed to French label, Kitsuné and their new album is being produced by Alex Kapranos, one of the guys from Franz Ferdinad. Kapranos’s influence can definitely be felt on their funky tracks that could well remind you of David Bowie. They use synth so liberally you start to worry that they’re actually going to open a portal back to the eighties. But unlike the eighties, Citizens! don’t suck. For a young bunch of guys, they’re doing remarkably well on their mission to reclaim pop from the likes of soulless industry manufactured One Direction.

These guys are so indie it hurts at times. You can actually feel the ironic moustache start to grow on your upper lip while seeing them perform their infectious tunes. The video clips for all of their songs are a delight too, either featuring them playing on the dark rooftops of London, or, in the case of their new single True Romance, telling a narrative involving a hunchback puppeteer who abducts people to use in lieu of puppets (no, really. Stop reading this right now and go watch it- don’t worry this article will still be here when you get back).
Editor’s Note: The Bucket’s official favourite True Romance clip is this one.

Here We Are comes out on the 28th of May, if you want to fit in around Fitzroy, you’d do well to pick it up.