Jim Nothing

Well, considering this album has released roughly half its heat as singles over the past six months, you’d think that I’d have it covered, but in case you somehow missed the goodness out of Aukland’s Jim Nothing, here’s a chance to catch up. The band’s last album found the New Zealand native digging through the ‘90s cutout bins, wrapping up alt n’ indie impulses both foreign and domestic. The follow-up feels out similar territory, but it’s clear that the band’s James Sullivan spent a few more months in the garage, honing hooks and shaving down songs until they pepper the listener with jangles and jilted love, power pop pounce and the kind of choruses that latch on and won’t let go.

The last album tumbled through styles, rolling ‘round the ‘90s low-fm dial and feeling like a crush-worthy mixtape sliding down the lunch table like a love note. The tone evens a bit here, with strums taking the edge over the big pop moments, but that power pop crunch still gets a showing, especially on the mid-album run from “Raleigh Arena” through “The Shimmering.” Elsewhere, though, the band ease into a softer side of their sound, jangling through the tender trail of singles that permeated the NZ ‘90s — cutting fromThe Bats, The Clean, Sneaky Feelings, and The Chills. It’s a nice sequel to the sounds that made their debut such an immediate hit around here, and it keeps them ones to watch as the years unfold. It’s an indie pop crusher and one that’s bound for the year-end lists for sure.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.