Artificial Go - Hopscotch Fever (2024) [Hi-Res]

On first listen, Artificial Go's debut Hopscotch Fever sounds familiar, like an album from 1981 that was in the background once in passing. It fits between a few micro-genres that felt distinct decades ago, but have blurred together in the years since. While driven by a classic guitars/bass/drums configuration, the songs lack the aggression found in arty punk bands like the Bags and Suburban Lawns. Despite a tiny trace of modern digital manipulation, the mixes distinctly reference an earlier era, with the intimacy of Young Marble Giants, early Go-Betweens, and the Marine Girls. The interlocking vocals suggest a somewhat diverse set of bands, like the Au Pairs, the B-52s, and X, with a stylized British accent in the delivery. The historical references in the foreground are abundant enough to be purposeful, and diverse enough to leave room for originality. Hopscotch Fever is not just the Cincinnati-based band's first release—none of its members had actively performed live there before starting Artificial Go.

In addition to combining influences in unique and surprising ways, Hopscotch Fever stands out thanks to its rich songwriting. "Walk Like a Dog" grows out of a rhythmic guitar line in the verses that recalls Stuart Moxham in Young Marble Giants, with an active vocal melody far from this now-idiomatic style. In the choruses, the rhythm shifts to a Wire-like drum part and shaker overdub, against a guitar line that hints at the B-52s.

The title track rests on a guitar part more percussive than melodic or harmonic, but this one rings out with a bit more aggression. It's loosely reminiscent of mid-'80s English bands like Big Flame and Bogshed. While still simple in pattern, the drums also present a heavier and more punk-informed feel here, especially on the instrumental break. The chorus is one of the few places where the bass moves to the foreground and gets to carry the melody.

On Hopscotch Fever, Artificial Go reference their influences in unfamiliar, and subtly diverse, ways that show they've obviously internalized and learned from their favorite bands, to be able to invent, not just imitate. They use their songwriting and arrangement talents to create a debut both impressive and promising. © Steve Silverstein

Tracklist:
1-1. Artificial Go - Pay Phone (01:55)
1-2. Artificial Go - Reality Does (03:11)
1-3. Artificial Go - On Off (03:17)
1-4. Artificial Go - Walk Like a Dog (02:13)
1-5. Artificial Go - Feeling Foxy (02:29)
1-6. Artificial Go - Aphrodisiac (01:58)
1-7. Artificial Go - Artificial Go (02:27)
1-8. Artificial Go - Bird to Woman (02:42)