Oceanics

Add Date: May 22

Artist: Oceanics

Album: Bright People (EP)

Label: MGM

Genre: Indie rock

Comments: Let's go down the qualifications for Bright People being called "Britpop": Does it have big hollow guitars and clean, jangling tunes? Yes. Does it bear some semblance to a mellower Arctic Monkeys, Libertines or Fratellis? Yes. Does it blend a Beatles/Kinks '60s vibe with the Smiths/Morrissey '80s dancefloor feel? Yes. And does the band hail from the UK? Surprisingly, no!

This Australian 4-piece is actually invoking the tremendously delicious sound of Britpop without being from Britain, and they do a great job of it. With an exquisite sea of liquid electrics and curt, textured acoustics, Oceanics are displaying a new Union Jack flair from down under. The Kooks better watch out. The entire 5-song EP is stellar, but tracks 1, 3, 4 and 5 are friendly enough to play on the radio.