Oxford Collapse: Bits

Label: Sub Pop

It takes guts to launch a pop-rock record out of 21st-century Brooklyn — what with the pressure to out-weird your competition stronger than a flaming shot of Everclear. It takes a band as coolly confident as Oxford Collapse to make such a record sound so fresh, exciting and earnest. This is the real stuff, folks. Like the best of early- to mid-90s college radio, Bits swirls with effervescent jangle and an innocent yet wickedly clever exuberance. With the infectious kick of songs like “Electric Art,” “Young Love Delivers,” and “For the Winter Coats (Kids)” and the utterly adorable hum of “A Wedding,” this release, the band’s fourth, is easily one of the most fun of the year. Play it loud and play it often – preferably at least a few times over beers in the middle of the night or on a long, hot drive, as all summer albums worth their salt demand. (Jane)