Bella — No One Will Know

Lego is the ultimate toy. The options are limitless, but all the fundamental elements remain unequivocally the same. On their Mint debut and second LP, Bella build their own sound out of some familiar pieces but clearly haven't used any instructions or pesky pictures to dictate their direction. Starting with a base of new wavey synths, an enthusiasm for razor-edged guitars and provocative vocals that are reminiscent of Amy Millan's work with Stars, Bella build a record that's a giant step up from their self-released first effort. Standout track "No One Will Know" takes a Postal Service-like beat and swells into an edgy but melodic romp. Yet, like construction with no instructions, occasionally the band don't really seem to know where they're headed until it's too late, like on the woeful "Ocean Or A Lakeshore." Still, while the parts are distinctly familiar, the end result is a creation that gleefully leaves behind the box it came in.

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