The Last Dinosaur - Hooray! For Happiness (Ill Fit)

Post-rock is pretty much a dirty word at this point, lo-fi has made the desire to stick to multi-tracks over computers annoying rather than admirable, and the indie pop world is actually overflowing with multi-instrumentalist duos determined to present themselves as a little odd, a little different from the bands they sound exactly like.

The Last Dinosaur are interesting. They’re a multi-instrumentalist duo that confess to fearing change, prefer analogue recording and openly namedrop post-rock bands, both musically and in press releases . But they’re actually really, really good. Anyone who has caught them live over the past couple of years will be in for a surprise when they hear Hooray! For Happiness, an album that’s mostly too complicated to be reproduced on stage, and is better suited to late night under covers listening anyway. It’s one of those records that is so densely layered, taking in so many influences and played on so many instruments, that it’s hard to take in at face value. It’s the kind of record that you need to wrap yourself up in as you drift off to sleep.

Do Make Say Think’s folksiest moments are perhaps one of the best comparisons, but slowed down, drenched in strings and performed in hushed whispers. Occasionally moments of Architecture in Helsinki style cheer bubble up, or a Max Richter-y piano interlude will flutter in between songs. The seven-minute ‘Home’ sees indeterminable amounts of guitars roll along on a beat set by finger clicks, growing and growing until the drums come in to bring the song crashing to a close, whereas ‘The First Last Dinosaur Song’ opens with a sweet piano line that gives away to a jazzy saxophone improve. Many songs, like ‘The Record Player’ or ‘Maps’, take a soft acoustic turn, with delicate strumming sometimes swelling in to something bigger, sometimes staying beautifully low key.

Hooray! For Happiness is surprisingly low on giddy yells given its upbeat title. Slow paced and dreamy, with plenty to explore, it is a beautiful record made by two emerging talents that are definitely deserving of attention. Let it envelop you, and discover all the delights contained within for yourself.