Double J Pick of the Week – Bop English

Bop English
Dani’s Blues (It Was Beyond Our Control)
(Create/Control)

You've probably never heard of Bop English before. Even the name James Petralli mightn't ring a bell immediately. Petralli is guitarist in unbelievably good Austin-based indie-prog blazers White Denim (go and listen to them immediately if you haven't yet), but while that band takes a breather, he's making music under this rather interesting moniker.

It's rather interesting music, too. A little boogie piano and a jaunty vocal gives way to a big classic rock guitar and all of a sudden you know you're in for a good time. It is a cute song, with a '70s radio-friendly pop feel to it – there's even a bit of Bolan/Bowie swagger to it. Tinny Farfisa and doo-wop harmonies add speckles of colour towards the end of the song, while that unyielding piano riff and a solid bass line propel the song along.

His debut LP Constant Bop will be released in April. Apparently it features a lot of special guests, including all of his White Denim band mates.