Clap Your Hands Say Yeah / Hysterical

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Hysterical
(V2)
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Have you ever seen Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist? If the answer’s no, fix that immediately. If it’s yes, then this album will instantly conjure images of the hero driving around New York, under cover of night with yet another break-up mixtape for his evil, slutty ex-girlfriend, while our heroine lays down pop-culture bromides at his expense.

Fear not, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah haven’t turned their backs on Wichita indie for a life of Queercore - in fact, their first new album in three years naturally bubbles with that CYHSY-fresh energy that won us in the first place.

Elegant hooks team up with multi-layered synths and percussion throughout ‘Hysterical’ (an ironic title since there isn’t anything particularly funny about the album, it is just bloody good). Our advice is to dive head first into the dirty reality Alec Ounsworth writes about, themes of pragmatic pessimism which simmer under the surface of what could very well be an unfalteringly peppy dozen; ‘Same Mistake’ opening proceedings perfectly.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have returned from their hiatus rejuvenated and ready to be indie titans once more. If ‘Hysterical’ doesn’t make you swoon, you clearly have no soul.