quickcrit - music reviews

"I change shapes just to hide in this place, but I'm still, I'm still an animal / Nobody knows it but me when I slip, yeah I slip, I'm still an animal."

Awww! I love quirky little Swedish indie pop musicians that make sunny, infectious singles that brighten up an otherwise gloomy winter day. With a lead singer that looks like a slightly more dateable version of Sebastien Tellier, Miike Snow reminds me of how exciting it can be to explore eponymous debut albums. Is it going to suck? Are they going to be my new favorite band? Both are unknown to me right now, but "Animal" just may be the most adorable single I've heard all year. It's a catchy, bite-sized morsel of indie goodness that makes me want to slap hands, kiss babies, and enjoy an ice cream cone at a ticker tape parade that feels like it's all happening just for me. And the video is simply delightful, unabashedly cutesy, and features colorful visuals and masks for animal lovers everywhere, particularly this girl who absolutely loves boys who love animals.

Enjoy the video for the feel-good song of the season: