The New Pornographers, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

On December 2nd,Canadian super-group The New Pornographers bring their raucous power-pop to Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The New Pornographers are a strange prospect: an eight-person super-group whose members include country revivalist Neko Case, indie-rock luminary A.C. Newman, and film-maker Blaine Thurier. As you might expect given such a description, their music is eclectic and just a little over-the-top.

The New Pornographers announced their arrival in 2005 with the appropriately titled Mass Romantic . Whilst at points bordering on garish, this album was a joyous and immensely entertaining listen: a collection of fourteen up-tempo indie pop songs, each bursting with vocal harmonies. Since then, the band have gone on to release four more albums, developing their ’60s-influenced sound and finding new ways to keep their upbeat pop noise just the ride side of saccharine. 

It’s been four years since The New Pornographers last released an album, but on August 26, they’re set to return with Brill Bruisers . The album is fittingly titled, registering the band’s playfulness, whilst nodding to the Brill Building, the now-legendary songwriter’s HQ in Manhattan, which was home to ‘60s pop sensations from Liza Minnelli to The Shangri-Las.

The New Pornographers are a band who value fun and spontaneity, and whose live shows are renowned for their energy. Don’t miss their performance on December 2nd at Shepherd’s Bush Empire.