TOY

These days, it is all but impossible to make an original statement. An artist may think that what they have created is new and exciting, only to find later that it has been done before, often more than once. Fortunately, a lack of originality needn't be a hurdle as long as the final product is good, and Toy are a band that knows that there is still plenty of mileage in the jangly guitar/swirling synth/laconic vocal combo.

Right from the first chords they recall the fuzz-drenched psychedelicacies of such acts as My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Primary Colours era Horrors or a leaner, indier Secret Machines. They create soundscapes that swoon with guitar and synthesised strings, layered over a vocal that, whilst limited in range, knows exactly its business and how to go about it.

They do have their own twists on the accepted recipe to keep things interesting, though. Second track 'Reasons Why' is a prime example - opening with a mutant variant of 'Theme From A Summer Place', the song morphs into early Verve as played by people who have only recently picked up an instrument, creating beautiful music more by accident than by design. One suspects that a great deal of effort has been expended to sound so effortless.

It takes a feat of musical gymnastics to simultaneously gaze at one's shoes and beyond the horizon, but Toy achieve it with aplomb, the songs merging into one mighty flow but popping up with moments of unexpected invention to keep the listener on their toes. This is a captivating album from start to finish - especially the final moments of album closer 'Kopter', which rattles along with a sudden burst of energy and pulsing rhythm, leaving the listener excited by the prospect of starting the album afresh....

Toy's self-titled offering is as impressive a debut as you are likely to find. To the right person and in the right circumstances, it has the potential to blow minds, even if its moves are somewhat familiar. Read more ›

Saw this band alongside British Sea Power in London, and they were amazing! I'd never heard of them before, but on the strength of their live performance I bought this album and I was not disappointed. Listen at volume, there is so much to hear and you don't want to miss a note!

I bought this after hearing them on 6 Music and then seeing them at the SWN festival in Cardiff last year, I really love every single track on this album, probably one of the best released in 2012, fav track is Dead and Gone with the build up the the heartstopping keychange

I bought this album a few months ago now,and i still love virtually every track on it. It sounds like Jesus Mary chain/Black rebel motorcycle club,but each track is different,no weak ones on here-Love this,Buy it...

In recent years the guitar orientated indie scene has been forced underground thanks to record companies reluctance to sell guitar music on the mass market. As a consequence great new artists have not had their time in the sun that they deserve (and the money to go with). With a major debt to the hard graft of The Horrors in making this scene viable again Toy's debut album is an epic undertaking. We all know the influences this has been taken from, and that is no bad thing as all of their influences are frigging awesome!

I won't waste your time reviewing each track but if you enjoy these albums you will love this one.

The Horrors - Primary Colours/Skying
Jesus and Mary Chain - Darklands
Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Velvet Underground - Debut
Pink Floyd - Piper At The Gates of Dawn
The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed

Buy, Buy Buy!

Oh it seems so simple.take all the best british indie music ever made.mix in a little krautrock.loads of swagger.make it all seem effortless and look cool while doing it.release a debut album that backs up any hype,that not only is the best album of 2012 but also one of the best debut albums ever.
Like all great albums the opening track 'COLOUR'S RUNNING OUT' instantly sets the mood with its shimmering guitars and hypnotic efforts.very psychedelic.
(Now in these days of homemade cd's i've personally added toy's fantastic,epic debut single LEFT MYSELF BEHIND as track 2.it fits just perfect.its staggering how confident the band are to leave this song off the lp.)
THE REASONS WHY is a poppy my bloody valentineish little beauty
DEAD AND GONE is possibly the best song on the lp.an epic track that speeds hypnotically along til it drops into a dreamy hush before redoubling its efforts to blaze a lysergic full tilt trip home.
LOSE MY WAY was the third single and is more poppish bliss.
DRIFTING DEEPER is a synth drenched driving instrumental.very droney and full of spacey effects.
MOTORING was the second single.awesome vocals over a krautrock groove and ringing guitars.
MY HEART SKIPS A BEAT is the most bittersweet romantic song on the lp.and an obvious sounding single.
STRANGE is the lps most horrors like song(the band are often liken to the horrors).
MAKE IT MINE more dreamy pop.
OMNI is a short soundscape.
WALK UP TO ME is a slow brooding ballad
KOPTER is another long hypnotic epic and a perfect closer.
Also a band whose single b sides are worth hunting down.especially BRIGHT WHITE SHIMMERING SUN which was the flip of the LOSE MY WAY single.
Epic,Fuzzy,Droney,Spacey Pyschedelic Brilliance.....YOU NEED THIS ALBUM.