A lot of this whole experience reminds me of Panda Bear’s ‘Person Pitch’ released about the same time last year. Of course, Noah Lennox didn’t come close to the commercial success this has (an amazing feat given how this band reached the number 11 spot in the UK charts with hardly any mainstream promotion) but it has shown how far the power of the internet and blog-age has come and how superior indie bands are succeeding. And, critically, the two acts are similar; both adored by over zealous blogsters and hipsters alike, but also just the general impact of which these two landed; both albums released with eye-catching, artistic album sleeves, being talked about by just a-bout everybody and possessing a beach boys-esque baroque sound drenched in ‘aaahs’ and reverb.

The differences of course, other than being a full band as opposed to one man and his laptop, is that there is no real challenge to liking Fleet Foxes, their debut is a listen which will either hook you in with one punch or leave you standing by the bedpost. The sheer wonder of the production and the song writing and most of all, Robin Pecknold’s incredible voice draws the listener into a magical place, and it is for these reasons that this album is so special.

There isn’t even a dud song that can be spoke of; as an album its beautifully weighted to make sure it never gets too exaggerated or too ostentatious, its just songs with beautiful melodies that can be cherished, sung along to and be upsetting and detaching all at once. Perhaps the greatest example of this is the record’s centre piece: ‘He Doesn’t Know Why’ with its massive choruses and building verses. But then there’s the beautifully melancholy ‘Meadowlarks’ or ‘Oliver James’ and the uplifting ‘White Winter Hymnal’.

It is, overall a wonderful record and one of such beauty I hadn’t felt for quite some time. Perfect if you ever feel the need to take a step back from harsh reality and be rushed into this world that Pecknold and crew have created for you. There is a reason why this band have obtrusively and inexplicably arrived into our heads and hearts and it is because, perhaps more than any other band this year so far, they have created a sound so complete and so convincing there is not choice other than to submit to it, and learn to love it.