Slumberland

When The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s self-titled debut came out in early 2009, the band was hailed as saviors of indie rock, urging comparisons to Joy Division, The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine. So it’s fair to assume that this album, the group’s second full-length, would be the result of some pretty lofty expectations from both fans and the media. But truly the band’s new work not only meets such expectations but likely exceeds them. Belong is skillfully crafted indie rock that nods to its predecessors while sounding wholly like its own animal. Songs like standout “Heart In Your Heartbreak” ache with a hint of shoe-gaze but still resonate a palpable warmth and boisterousness. If this album is better than the band’s first, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s buzz is about to become deafening.