Hilotrons — Bella Simone

The Hilotrons' jerkily syncopated beats will get under your skin and possibly make you want to dance rather strangely — maybe even like Elaine in that episode of Seinfeld. On Bella Simone, the Ottawa group take a mixed bag of influences and actually come up with something fresh and exciting. It's synth-laden new wave pop with hints of ska and broad smears of smooth indie rock thrown in just to shake things up some more. Things slow down with the Stars-esque ballad, "Oh, My," only to freak out again with the dirty rock of "Pink & Gold." Hilotrons keep the energy levels high and the musicianship even higher with this smart, addictive album. 

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