It is only natural to be a bit suspicious of the modernity and vitality of a band named after a drum machine that was last in vogue when unruly mullets and Frankie Say Relax t-shirts were acceptably worn in public. Ten seconds in to 202s debut album, however, and your fears will be assuaged.
Here is a band with a healthy appreciation for the past, but a burning, lustful passion for the future. Marrying vintage synth sounds that most krautrock bands would kill for with the pop instrumentation of melodicas, glockenspiels and harmonicas, then filtering it through a post-punk haze, 202s have succeeded in weaved a tapestry of unprecedented artistry.
202s confidence and well-honed sound is quite remarkable given the band's short lifespace. Formed in April 2007, they operated originally as a studio outfit, working with Stephen Shannon of Halfset in his Experimental Audio studios in Dublin. They immediately set about crafting their debut album, an eclectic reflection of the bands' influences taking in synth pop, ambient instrumentals, psych folk flavours and more.
With the album in the bag reputable Parisian indie label La Maquis (A Certain Ratio, Woodentops) snapped the 202s up.