Monkey Swallows the Universe

There's a little band called Monkey Swallows the Universe. They're an acoustic indiepop 5-piece from Sheffield, who I heard about as they were supporting The Long Blondes in Cambridge in October. Their debut album The Bright Carvings is packed full of super super tunes: my particular favourite has to be the opener Sheffield Shanty, a devastatingly simple pirate-themed tour through their home town, or maybe the catchy and distinctly danceable Fonz You!, showing that, along with Peter Bjorn and John's Young Folks, whistling, while very annoying in all other situations, is the perfect addition to indie pop. Live, even with the absence of their violinist due to illness and in a relatively large venue, they kept the Junction transfixed and/or dancing about at all the right moments. Singer Nat Johnson has a gorgeous voice, sometimes reminiscent of Polly Harvey, with the girl singer aspect bringing about obvious comparisons to Camera Obscura and early Belle and Sebastian. But they're not to be pigeonholed. They're pretty much perfect. They deserve to be big. But maybe not too big.

Buy:
The Bright Carvings (via Sheffield Phonographic Corporation)

Listen:
Sheffield Shanty (via official site)
Jimmy Down the Well (via official site)
Florence (via official site)

Links:
mstu.co.uk
Myspace