Neu Die Hard

: Die Hard
Based: Glasgow, Scotland
Listen at: Diehrd.co.uk
Similar to: Animal Collective

On the closing seconds of the opening song on their debut album, Die Hard blockade the listener in with a barrage of creepy, ear-twisting sound; a woman seemingly in distress; detuned synths lowered in pitch to the point of collapse. It’s a haunting, purposeful inclusion: It says if you don’t like this, you won’t like us and you won’t like our record. Fortunately, for those willing to applaud the daring, the onslaught soon subsides and you’re given room to appreciate the rest of what is a genuinely gutsy first record.

The Glasgow band helped start up the label which brings out this first work: Halleluwah Hits. It began as a record shop and it was soon bringing out Dam Mantle EPs which went on to sell out in ridiculous speed. Die Hard evidently have an appreciation for the obscure and the challenging, whilst retaining an ear for what works as an off-kilter pop song.

The self-titled debut album is out on 27th February through Halleluwah Hits.