Apples In Stereo
New Magnetic Wonder

Simian Records/Yep Rock

This first release off Elijah Wood’s record label is no celebrity vanity project. The ex-hobbit demonstrates great taste by releasing the latest long-player by Apples In Stereo.

The Denver band has been around for 12 years, with eight albums to its name, including one inspired by The Powerpuff Girls. Bandleader Robert Schneider continues to produce “sunny pop”, combining joyous sing-along choruses, bouncy riffs and the catchiest hooks this side of a fishing competition.

The album opens with the energetic and aptly titled “Turn Up Your Stereo”, which proudly, and correctly, proclaims “it makes you feel so good”. “Energy” sounds like a science lesson (“the world is made of energy and there’s a lot inside of you and a lot inside of me”).

Borrowing heavily from ’60s pop, it’s not the most original music out there — but it just might be the happiest.