Apologies will be handed out in advance for those who came here looking for the hottest new Parisian sneakers. However, those looking to find some solid indie music should pull up a chair and continue reading. The French Kicks’ fourth album, Swimming, is a good example of how to make happy, upbeat music the right way. Many of the songs give off an impression of familiarity and warmth: feeling like intimate conversations with friends.

Straying a bit from the crisp clarity and cleanliness found on their last album, Two Thousand, their latest project finds itself amongst heavier, more spacious backdrops and vocals drenched in reverbs and harmonies (such as on ‘Over The World’). Though somewhat light-hearted in nature, the tracks on Swimming still give off that need to be contemplative and in deep thought that usually only comes with most melancholy melodies. The only thing it lacks a bit of is balance. While the production throughout the album is very strong and cohesive (guitar, drums and some piano taking care of most errands), the vocals might prove otherwise. While they sound great and are probably expressions of great lyrics, it’s simply hard to tell a lot of the time. While one part of a song will usher listeners to sing along, another could very well end in puzzlement. Chances are, though, fans of French Kicks won’t be bothered too much by this.

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