Foxygen take The Lexington on a fun-filled vintage trip.

Evolving from a High School Doors cover band, into what has been described as a “raw, de-Wes Andersonization of The Rolling Stones, Kinks, Velvets, Bowie”, New York-based, Los Angeles-bred, Foxygen brought their retro infused sound to the sold out Lexington last night.

The duo’s inspirations are abundantly clear and as scruffy hair and silky shirts dominate the stage you can see their image neatly matches the music, and although it is impossible not to bring to mind the aforementioned rock hall of famers, the set, perhaps somewhat ironically, is entirely refreshing. Everything feels experimental and spontaneous despite the imitative style. The focus is so clearly on creating, and having fun that you get taken along for the ride easily. Frontman Sam almost constantly chats his way through the set, with spurts of improvisation emerging through intensely heavy delay. This interaction underlines the playfulness Foxygen omit and it’s catching – the whole room is beaming, one girl even complains about aching cheeks.

However, the quality of their songs does not just rest on ability to be carefree and their incredible hooks shine through this whimsical chit-chat. There are clever tempo changes in ‘Shuggie’, ‘On Blue Mountains’ produces moments of progressive rock, while the languid, lyrical ingenuity of ‘No Destruction’ sticks in the mind as a highlight from the vintage trip. Many in attendance appear to know some tracks well already; “There’s no need to be an asshole, you’re not in Brookyln anymore” rings out with excitable partcipation.

Raw and unpolished at times? Maybe. Not everybody’s cup of tea? Certainly. But there can be no doubt that Foxygen’s live show is a fun-filled breath of fresh air from the US that perhaps inadvertently blows a bit of a raspberry at some British guitar bands taking themselves rather too seriously at the moment.

Set List Bowling Trophies Shuggie Brooklyn Police Station No Destruction Make it Known San Francisco Cosmic Vibrations On Blue Mountain We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic The Game 666

Foxygen return on 6th June with a show at London’s Scala.