I’ll be straight with you, here. New York-based quintet Here We Go Magic’s first single off their second LP, “Collector” is not going to be your next anthemic sing-along, so if you’re not into unsingable indie sound tapestries, you’d best be on your way.
Most of the lyrics are damn near unintelligible, save for a hook that goes “I’ve got a mild fascination/ for collectors.” That first line is delivered in a rapid-fire staccato that’s vaguely reminiscent of “Turning Japanese.” (Yes, that one.)
And like that lonely Vapors hit, “Collector” makes you a little antsy just by listening to it. Bright, jangling guitars and rich production that builds and swirls moves the track along to a frenzied (albeit, pretty) peak, before it fades into a sort of loop without slowing down a bit.
So does it matter that Here We Go Magic hasn’t magicked you a new belt-it-out classic? Not really. What’s important is that, now that I’ve listened to it like 10 times, I’m itching to go for a jog. Nice work, Here We Go Magic, for making the impossible a reality.
Download the MP3 here.
