Braids offer benevolence and goodwill to all mankind

Although Braids have the air of a new band with everything to prove, it's sobering to note I first discovered their bewitching debut EP Set Pieces on MySpace(!) when they were still called The Neighbourhood Council. That EP was slightly scrappy around the edges, but it set the template that's served the Montreal-based band well over seven years and three albums; enchanting looped guitars and synthwork underpinning Standell-Preston's distinctive vocal style, which flits between deliberate fragility and a shriller, more full-throated sound that's not a million miles away from Bjork. Of course that's not to suggest that their songwriting hasn't evolved over time- whilst their older material was more psychedelic in nature, with elements of Animal Collective and even the more reined-in moments of Ponytail, their latest release Deep In The Iris is more ambient and percussively complex in nature, and it is this aspect that comes to the fore tonight (1st May, at an ATP Pop Up venue).

Apart from their introductory spiel, Braids don't really speak much. Neither do they rely on fancy projections or gimmickry of any kind- even the stage lighting was surprisingly muted. But unlike many bands riding the "ethereal synth-pop" zeitgeist, their music is intricate and fulfilling enough to stand on its own without distraction. That's not to say their highly energetic attitude towards performing didn't play a huge part in making this a memorable experience- there's nothing worse than seeing a band you love go through the motions- but their songwriting for the most part would have easily held together the set on its own. "Miniskirt" is probably the highlight of the evening, combining crystalline electronica with vocals that wouldn't sound out of place on an Ibiza floorfiller, but the majority of material successfully connects tonight, not least because Braids have finally worked out how to convey their multi-layered material as a three-piece.

Of course, as a promotional show for the new record, the rest of their back catalogue didn't get much of a look-in, but one can certainly forgive that on this occasion. If there is a criticism, it's that the despite the talents of all concerned and a relatively enthusiastic and beer-addled audience the show never sparks into something truly special, although to be fair to the band, that may simply be a function of not having fully mastered their new songs. In any event, whilst the lustre of Canada as a producer of exciting new music has somewhat dimmed since the heady days of the mid-Noughties, Braids prove the Canucks can still bring it when they want to.