I Lose/You Win

I'd previously dismissed Girls Names as a band with a decent record collection and some hipster contacts, but with I Lose they finally get out of the traps with a great track. Atmospheric like Felt's Cherry Red singles, naggingly intense like Crystal Stilts and punkily melodic like early Verlaines, Girls Names are at last a band to watch.


Brilliant Colors, conversely, started brilliantly but have been a bit hit and miss lately. You Win, though, sees them recapture the pop-punk spirit that made them sound like the only band worth listening to. In a little over 2 minutes they race for the prize of frenzied buzzsaw delight and win.

Tough Love release this split on Nov 23; listen to it all you like first.