Football Money

Debut album from Ontario rockers Kiwi Jr. Their four-piece lineup features the bassist from the indie group Alvvays. Pavement seems to be the big influence, but they are so much more than your average “Listens to Slanted and Enchanted Once” fanboys. Lyrics span adulting, big city living, and sports, in a wry, scattershot manner. Songs are short and fun, but pack in a ton of substance. These dudes are really great! Hurry up and play them while they don't yet have a Wikipedia page. All songs FCC Clean. RIYL: Pavement, Holiday Ghosts, Alvvays, Telekinesis TRY: 7, 3, 4, 1, 5

(1.) (3:29) Lively indie rock fueled by strategic harmonica. Lyrics surf through various childhood memories (including a stabbing in cathedral, as referenced by the title) (2.) (2:13) Bouncy with repetitive chorus and a really nice solo (*3.) (3:45) Jangly with wry commentary on work culture (4.) (3:00) Punky, chanty repetitive with great guitar elements (5.) (3:00) Great vulnerable vocals, strange melodies, minor chords, sounds like a long-lost Pavement song (6.) (1:06) Short lo-fi reprise of Track 3 (*7.) (2:06) Groovy with killer hooks, layered vocals, and great wry lyrics about sports culture. Tons of little sonic shifts throughout – just keeps getting better the longer your listen (8.) (2:41) Layered electric guitars, frail deadpan vocals, extended solos (9.) (2:46) Nostalgic and jangly (10.) (3:12) Feel good indie rock with surreal baseball lyrics, a splash of feedback, and a stompy feel thanks to layered bass and drums