Pitchfork

Photo by Milana Radojcic

It feels like ages ago that indie-pop squad the Brunettes signed to Sub Pop (in 2005), and ages before that that the brown-haired New Zealand natives were hand-picked to open a North American tour by a moderately popular guitar band known as the Shins (also in 2005).

Yet here we are, in 2007, and the Brunettes have a shiny new record they just can't wait to deliver straight into our hearts. Structure & Cosmetics enlivens record store shelves at last August 7. It's the Brunettes' third full length overall and first for Sub Pop, following 2002's Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks and 2004's Mars Loves Venus, both released on NZ's Lil' Chief Records.

Structure includes charming first single "Her Hairagami Set", and would seem to further bolster the case for nine being the golden mean number of tracks on 2007 full lengths (see also: LCD Soundsystem's latest, Okkervil River's latest).

The Brunettes promise some red hot U.S. tour action in September and October. For now, they play scattered gigs across Oceania.

Structure & Cosmetics:

01 Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth
02 Stereo (Mono Mono)
03 Her Hairagami Set
04 Credit Card Mail Order
05 Obligatory Road Song
06 Small Town Crew
07 If You Were Alien
08 Wall Poster Star
09 Structure & Cosmetics

Brunette on Brunette:

06-23 Auckland, New Zealand - Masonic (two shows)
08-23 Brisbane, Australia - The Troubadour
08-24 Sydney, Australia - Hopetoun Hotel
08-25 Melbourne, Australia - Northcote Social Club
11-15 Paris, France - Point Ephemere
11-20 Luxeumbourg, Luxembourg - d:qliq