Yo La Tengo

The New Jersey trio have always been capable of whopping out gutsy yet fragile, tender yet muscular records but on album number 17, they’ve really outdone themselves.

With Georgia Hubley’s ethereal vocals taking centre stage later in the album amidst the voluminous swirl of noisegazing sound, ‘This Stupid World’ sees the band in rapturous, time-stopping form. And the standout title track, with its enveloping duvet of distortion and staunch rhythm really does pick you up like a swaddled toddler, whisking you away into a cloud of sheer, gorgeous, sustain. Whatever IT is, they’ve got IT well and truly nailed.