It’s straight in at number one for Northern Portrait as the ‘Pretty Decent Swimmers’ 10” (matinée 086) is released today as the top seller in the Matinée shop. That’s no surprise really given the fantastic early reception to the single:
“Pretty Decent Swimmers proves once again that it’s the arrangement and execution of the songs, not the mere style of them, that sets Northern Portrait apart. The opening ‘Happy Nice Day’ is instant: it’s a tumbling travelogue, high-velocity jangle ringing out from every pore, dripping with a sweetness somewhere between sherbet fountain and champagne fountain (and just as fizzing) … from Denmark via Santa Barbara, the first classic single of the year.” —In Love With These Times, In Spite Of These Times
“In terms of quality you’d have to say that pretty decent is an understatement.” —Sounds XP
“Happy Nice Day is as strong a song as the band have written, and Bon Voyage is a kind of Velvet Underground-meets-Orange Juice romp through a holiday romance ripped asunder by a lack of bravado, which reminds me of ‘Queen is Dead’-era Smiths.” —A Layer of Chips
“Pretty Decent Swimmers takes [Northern Portrait] in one bound into the upper echelons of the Scandoindiepop model.” —Sweeping The Nation
“Some of the most accomplished music the band has crafted to date … it’s early in the year, but you’re going to have to try real hard to find such a splendid piece of pop for the rest of the year.” —Austin Town Hall
“Feels like a classic right from first listen.” —The Sound of Confusion
The absolutely beautiful 10” record on transparent swimming pool blue vinyl is out now and available from your trusty Matinée mailorder plus smart record merchants around the globe including Darla Records (USA), Beethobear (Taiwan), Fraction Discs (Sweden), Hands and Arms (France), Jigsaw Records (USA), Locomotiva Discos (Brazil), Pebble Records (UK), Rough Trade (UK), Stone Records (Japan), Vollwert Records (Germany) and others. The digital version is available for immediate download from the usual suspects as well including the Matinée shop.
Please see below for complete release details including audio previews of all four songs. What a way to kick off our 2013 collection!