Nice Nice, an experimental duo from Portland, Ore., know how to have fun. On their third full-length (and their first for Warp), Nice Nice try to capture the energy of their bombastic live performances, and believe it or not, they actually pull it off. “Set and Setting” sees the band kicking up dust in a slow swell as it readies itself for the massive, driving power of “One Hit.” Somewhere between Battles, Holy Fuck and Animal Collective, Nice Nice have carved out a space for themselves with the unrelenting ambition of Extra Wow. “Big Bounce” is an irresistible dub-infused summer jam that uses what seems like a nursery rhyme melody, while “Make It Gold” sounds like it could be a shoegaze anthem. What’s really surprising about Extra Wow is how full and diverse it sounds. At fifty minutes, the album can get a bit overwhelming and repetitive, but for the most part, Nice Nice have assembled a cohesive collection of material that will get your body moving and may just leave you feeling a bit dizzy. (Warp Records, www.warprecords.com) Jonathan Dyck
Winnipeg music & culture since 1989