ARTIST: The Boy Least Likely To

We threw up a track from these guys during Christmas time, but I've been meaning to give them a proper post. The Boy Least Likely To is the English duo Jof Owen and Pete Hobbs, and they're gearing up for the release of their second album on March 9th, called The Law of the Playground.

It's been about four years since their debut, The Best Party Ever, won hearts with its jangly odes to childhood and innocence - and they're set to do it again on their sophomore release. Everything I've heard from the new record is just as playful as before, with the same innocence and vulnerability that made their debut so endearing. They've got a number of songs streaming on their website now, including their newest song, 'Every Goliath Has Its David'. Check it out here. And prepare to smile (if not because of the music, then definitely because of the little woolen owl graphics).

March 9th has been a long time coming - it was over a year ago that I stumbled across their song 'A Balloon On A Broken String' (below), a playful and subtly heart-breaking song that's become one of my very favorites from last year. The synths, chimes, and hand-claps all get you bouncing along so much that you almost don't even register the totally unguarded outro refrain:

"I know I look shiny and bouncy, but I'm all empty inside
And I worry that if I was to just burst suddenly, that nobody would even notice me"

It's a great, great song, and this is shaping up to be a great, great record.

The Boy Least Likely To - A Balloon On A Broken String
from the album The Law of the Playground (pre-order it here)


The Boy Least Likely To - Be Gentle With Me
from the album The Best Party Ever (iTunes)