CITYist

Aaron Short, Alisa Xayalith, David Beadle, Jesse Wood, and Thom Powers make up the five-piece, alternative, electro-rock band from New Zealand: The Naked and Famous. Melding traditional, alternative rock stylings with synth-pop hooks, The Naked and Famous create a sound similar to the Stateside-favored Passion Pit, with an edge.

As mentioned, the group is quite popular among Antipodean audiences, but with singles “Punching In a Dream” and “Young Blood,” being released in the United States, there is little doubt that they will have American listeners dancing in no time. Intelligent lyrics matched by hypnotic, electronic melodies produce literal works of musical art: an audible mural of subtly woven beats and tones. What makes The Naked and Famous unique is their ability to maintain lyrical profundity, without forfeiting pop hooks that grab your attention. “Punching In a Dream,” starts out with an ethereal beat so entrancing that it even becomes difficult to pay the intelligently composed lyrics the attention they deserve.

While the Angl0-American dominated music scene has produced true masters of the art, 2010 and the year ahead mark a shift in fan focus. With Swedish pop princess Robyn and French alt-rockers Phoenix bursting on to the stage, it is refreshing to see British and American audiences embracing exposure to international tastes. The Naked and Famous are a superb addition to the movement. There is no argument: The Naked and Famous will certainly be counted among the varying “next big things” of 2011.

To watch the official video for “Punching In a Dream,” click HERE.

All photos courtesy of TheNakedandFamous.com.