Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff (Bud Fox/EMI) album review

Photogenic Stockholm chamber-pop five-piece Shout Out Louds breezed onto British shores earlier this year with a handful of moderately modest support slots and ambitious, delightful debut UK single 'Very Loud'. And now Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, a Cardigans-esque compilation of SOL's previous Scandinavian-only releases, is here - rejoice, for it's an absolute belter. Like the dream Truck Festival line-up spliced together, HHGG cavorts from the reverent Grandaddyism of 'The Comeback', to the twee New Orderness of 'A Track And A Train', and the chugging Shins-ish power-pop of 'Hurry Up Let's Go' - before collapsing in a heap on tour de force B&S-go-prog finale 'Seagull'. Every last track is a smiling, waving pop child, aching to be cherished. Don’t miss out.

Charlie Ivens

originally appeared in The Fly magazine, September 2005 issue