It used to be easy to recall where you first heard your new favourite band. Back in the late ‘90s, it was either the Evening Session or the NME for this particular tune seeker but now it’s one from 6 Music, Spotify, Stereogum, Popjustice plus another hundred outlets desperately vying for my attention. Which brings me to Pinegrove, my new obsession. I’m pretty sure I stumbled across them while, ahem, researching music on Spotify one afternoon at work earlier this year but couldn’t prove it.

Anyway, Pinegrove are great. A four-piece hailing from New Jersey, the band are led by Evan Stephens Hall whose voice brings to mind a slightly angrier, but no less wistful, Colin Meloy of The Decemberists. They sound like a greatest hits of US indie to me, with hints of Pavement, the aforementioned Decemberists, Wilco and more but also never not themselves. Debut album Cardinal was released on Run For Cover last month and contains eight excellent tracks, bookended by the brilliant Old Friends and New Friends.
 

Old Friends is quite possibly my song of the year so far, containing the wise line: “I should call my friends when I think of them, I should tell my friends when I love them.” Pinegrove sound like they’re having a long hard think while simultaneously having an absolute blast which to these ears is the greatest indie rock formula of all.

Gary Bales (@garydbales)

BBC Radio 6 Music Producer

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