Song of the Day: Hooray for Earth - Airs

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Airs” by Hooray for Earth from the 2014 album Racy on Dovecote Records.

Hooray for Earth - Airs (MP3)

The band name Hooray for Earth might suggest some dry cynicism, but the New York-based synth-pop-rock group belonging to that title are a genuinely optimistic group. Despite releasing their debut album, True Loves, in 2011, they've been around since 2005 under the guidance of frontman Noel Heroux. In the three years since the band's critically acclaimed debut -- praised for picking up the slack in indie pop where the year's other releases fell short -- Heroux worked hard to ensure the band's latest album, Racy, would live up to its predecessor. The Hooray for Earth mastermind has also been busy appearing on Twin Shadow's Confess and backing up Cymbals Eat Guitars and Autre Ne Veut on guitar. Multi-talented Heroux calls Racy "the most intentional thing I've put together."

Racy's seventh track, "Airs," is a testament to the album's design. Heroux worked with producer Chris Coady (whose previous collaborators include Beach House, TV On The Radio, Blonde Redhead and countless other indie mainstays) to put together a tightly ominous and expansive track full of fuzzed out, distorted guitar, heavy bass, and a strong dose of blurry feedback. The track injects Hooray for Earth's digestible sound with a slow burning vigor while preserving their familiar sound and pop flavored hooks. Heroux's lucid and honeyed vocals add a directed balance to the track, giving buoyancy to the otherwise all-engulfing song.

Hooray for Earth is busy celebrating their East Coast corner of our planet right now, but take a look at their Facebook and Twitter for updates, live shows and more! Check out their video for "Keys" off of Racy below: